Cristiano Ronaldo was downgraded to the title of the superstar no one wanted when Portugal determined they could be better off without him, following Manchester United's example.

 For the first time since 2008, Cristiano Ronaldo wasn't selected for Portugal's starting lineup in a game at a major tournament.

After Portugal decided they could be better off without Cristiano Ronaldo, following Manchester United's lead, he was demoted to the status of the superstar no one wanted.

And they were better off without him, as Portugal's coach Fernando Santos was rewarded for his bravery in benching his nation's sporting icon with a comprehensive attacking performance and a 6-1 victory against Switzerland, setting up a World Cup quarterfinal matchup against Morocco.

Santos was not only right to bench Ronaldo after publicly criticizing his substitution gestures in the last group match against South Korea, but he also struck gold when his teenage replacement Goncalo Ramos hit an outstanding hat-trick.

Portugal did what was previously unthinkable - at least going back as far as 31 games and before Euro 2008 - and ditched him from their starting line-up at a major tournament. It has been a trying time for the 37-year-old Ronaldo's considerable pride and ego. First, his Manchester United career ended in strife following public criticism of the club.

The boldest selection decision made at this World Cup and the largest in Santos' eight years as Portugal's coach.

Who is the person who dethroned Ronaldo, Goncalo Ramos?

Name the last ten World Cup hat-trick recipients in the quiz below.

Santos will have realized what was in danger by making this dramatic change, despite having a Euro 2016 victory on his resume. He would have known who would bear the blame for Portugal's World Cup elimination if they had lost, and it would not have been Cristiano Ronaldo.

Instead, Santos observed with his customary stern expression as Portugal displayed a more lively, flowing, and menacing side without having to concentrate solely on Ronaldo's occasionally overwhelming presence.

With Bernardo Silva and Bruno Fernandes in charge of the midfield, Portugal advanced with ease. Up front, 21-year-old striker Ramos of Benfica, who had no prior experience scoring goals at this level, carried any weight he may have felt as Ronaldo's successor lightly.

Joao Felix, who had previously been reserved but is incredibly skilled, appeared emancipated, much like the rest of the Portugal team.

Ramos scored his hat-trick in a variety of extremely well-executed ways, including a near-post finish hammered high past Switzerland goalkeeper Jan Sommer, a poacher's near-post shot off a cross, and a deft dink. first, some

Before this match, Ronaldo had played 514 minutes of World Cup elimination football without scoring. Three came from Ramos in 67 minutes.

Pepe, a 39-year-old defensive workhorse, demonstrated that age was not a consideration for Santos when he headed the second goal, and Ramos has shown his ability to create goals as well as score them by setting up Raphael Guerriero to make it 4-0.

As Ronaldo watched the beginnings of his international career as his Manchester United career faded into the distance, cameras were fixated on every facial reaction.

After the national anthems had completed playing, he was surrounded by hundreds of cameramen, and the events that followed had an almost testimonial aspect after Portugal demonstrated their superiority in his absence by defeating a profoundly disappointing Switzerland.

Ramos had just put Portugal in the lead (5-1) when a thunderous shout of "Ronaldo" began to erupt across the enormous Lusail Stadium, followed by cries of his jubilant signature "Siu."

The people making the demands appeared to be a sizable number of residents who had paid their money to see Ronaldo in person. It might even have been the afflicted Switzerland supporters wishing Santos would get rid of Ramos, who was torturing them.

With 16 minutes remaining, Santos gave up and substituted Ronaldo with Joao Felix, sparking a cheer.

The fading talisman trotted in to make what felt more like a personal appearance than a significant contribution to a World Cup knockout game. It was all slightly awkward, even a little embarrassing.

Every time Ronaldo received the ball, there was a sense of expectancy among those present, who were eager to witness some of the old magic. When he rammed a shot in, they almost saw it, but the boos started as soon as the offside flag was raised.

Even Ronaldo's little moment in the spotlight was cut short when Rafael Leao, another promising young Portuguese striker, entered the game and completed this resounding victory with the kind of curling finish that has the 23-year-old being pegged as a future star at AC Milan.

World Cup Daily podcast: Moroccan brilliance and Vamos Ramos

"Legend" and "phenomenon" that changed history

Test your knowledge of the World Cup's last 16 with this quiz.

Cristiano Ronaldo leaves the field during the match with Switzerland.

The Portugal supporters warmly applauded Cristiano Ronaldo and often yelled his name throughout the game.

After the final whistle, Ronaldo thanked the supporters and headed for the tunnel first, leaving the real celebrations to his Portugal teammates, who had put on their best World Cup performance and who would pose a threat to anyone playing like this.

Although Ronaldo is looking to land a new club, he may still play a significant role in this tournament, it is difficult to envision him starting the match against Morocco.

He was fired from Manchester United for his petulance and blunt criticism of the organization's hierarchy, and now he is being marginalized in a country where he must have believed he was even more untouchable with Portugal.

Ronaldo was once the future, as the phrase goes. He progressively gives the impression that rising talents like Ramos and Leao are the stars of the present and the future.

What happens next for the club and country's fallen idol? At best, against Morocco, the bench.

Schedule and directions to the complete World Cup TV coverage for the Fifa World Cup