The Portuguese national team manager Paulo Bento has dismissed suggestions that the star striker Cristiano Ronaldo not playing in the friendly match against Gabon will be a huge disappointment. He has said accepted the fact that the game against Gabon has both economic and sporting implications. The media have criticised the Portuguese football Federation for holding meaningless friendly matches against the likes of Gabon, when it is quite clear that the national team will be far better off playing against high-ranking opposition ahead of the 2014 FIFA World Cup. The manager Paulo Bento, though, has said that this can offer match is required for economic reasons.

He has also attributed the fact that teams like Spain and Argentina, who was regarded as one among the best in the world, have travelled to lower opposition in the form of Panama and Saudi Arabia respectively. Paulo Bento has said that the decision to play against the lower teams is taken on the basis of financial implications as well. The Real Madrid star striker Ronaldo will not be part of this match after suffering a huge injury in the eyes. Paulo Bento has said that almost everyone has in the injury suffered by Ronaldo and it was not possible to take him to the encounter.

“If you don’t tell me who is suspecting Ronaldo I can’t reply to you becaue I can’t imagine that anyone is questioning him. You’ve seen his (Ronaldo’s) eye and the medical report. He wasn’t able to travel. Portugal were invited to play in Gabon due to everything that the Portuguese players have achieved over the years, for having made it to the major finals and for having played well in the big competitions,” said Bento. Portugal have not managed a single victory in the last two World Cup qualifying matches.