England legend Stuart Pearce says Cristiano Ronaldo has ‘no chance’ of starting next Portugal match and makes comparison to when he left David Beckham out of Team GB’s 2012 Olympic squad

Stuart Pearce drew on his own experience as he explained just how big it can be to leave out star players following Cristiano Ronaldo’s benching by Portugal.

Ronaldo was dropped from the starting line-up at a major tournament for the first time since 2008.

The 37-year-old then watched on as his replacement, Goncalo Ramos, netted a hat-trick in a 6-1 win over Switzerland.

It was a huge call from Portugal boss Fernando Santos and he ended up being justified in his decision.

England legend Pearce spoke drew comparisons to the time he left out David Beckham from the Team GB squad at the Olympic Games back in 2012.

Speaking to talkSPORT, he said: “It can be very difficult. I always said to myself whenever I made a decision I’d do it in a cold, calculating way. What is right for the team? Does this player or individual deserve to be in the squad and deserve to be in the team?

“You all know in your heart of hearts if they do or don’t. One of the most difficult calls I’ve had to make in my managerial career and personal life is to leave David Beckham out of the Olympic squad when he’d done so much to bring the Olympic Games to Great Britain and I was acutely aware of that and the clamour of Adidas wanting him to be in there and various other bits and pieces.

“It was all a side issue to the most important thing. Are you good enough to be in the squad, or are you not?

“If someone is in the squad, like they are now and we are talking about Cristiano, are you good enough to start the game if we want to win the game?

“If the answer is no, then he has to sit on the bench and hopes the manager turns round and says ‘I’m going to put you on the bench now to influence the game in some shape or form’.

“That’s the nature of our profession.”

Santos now has another difficult decision to make… whether to keep hat-trick hero Ramos in the team or bring back the captain Ronaldo.

Pearce believes the choice should be a straightforward one when they face Morocco.

He said: “Santos has got absolutely no chance of bringing Ronaldo back. Ramos has just scored a hat-trick, it would be absolute folly to not play him.”

Pearce added: “The only bigger stage is the next round for him. I think he’s a definite starter. You can’t leave him out after that. They look a better side.”