The partner of Cristiano Ronaldo says he shouldn't be defending Portugal coach Fernando Santos after their World Cup quarterfinal defeat to Morocco.

Ronaldo was dropped from the starting line-up on Tuesday when Portugal faced Switzerland in the last-16, and his replacement Goncalo Ramos netted a hat-trick, leading to Santos selecting Ramos ahead of Ronaldo once more against Morocco.

Alongside a picture of Ronaldo, Georgina Rodriguez posted on Instagram: "Today your friend and coach decided wrong. That friend for whom you have so many words of admiration and respect.

"The same one who, by getting you into the game, saw how everything changed, but it was too late. You cannot underestimate the best player in the world, his most powerful weapon.

"Nor can you stick up for someone who doesn't deserve it. Life teaches us lessons. Today we have not lost, we have learned."