World Cup 2018: Portugal are more than just Cristiano Ronaldo, insists head coach Fernando Santos

Diego Forlan, the former Uruguay international, has claimed that Ronaldo is '50 per cent' of Portugal's team

Fernando Santos, the Portugal coach, has stressed that his side are more than just Cristiano Ronaldo as they prepare to play Uruguay in the World Cup round of 16.

Ronaldo all but one of Portugal’s five goals during their Group B campaign, including a hat-trick to earn a point in the 3-3 draw with Spain.

Diego Forlan, the former Uruguay international and ex-Manchester United team-mate of Ronaldo’s, claimed on Friday that the 33-year-old makes up “50 per cent” of Portugal’s team.

Santos, however, stressed the importance of his other 22 players when inevitably asked about the importance of Ronaldo to his side’s chances in Russia.

“I just got another free coffee, because I bet on this question! I get the coffee. Thank you for the question,” he said at the Fisht Olympic Stadium.

“Everybody knows that any team in the world depends on its players, and of course we have one of the best in the world, but you can ask the Uruguay coach the same question about [Luis] Suarez, [Edinson] Cavani - you have great players in every team.”

Santos added: “It's the team that has to play. If Ronaldo plays alone, we're going to lose. We have to be strong as a team, just as Uruguay are strong as a team.”

Uruguay’s Suarez, meanwhile, insisted that he is ready to put his club rivalry with Ronaldo to one side in preparation for his country’s first knockout game.

The pair know each other well from La Liga clasicos between Barcelona and Real Madrid, but all that will be forgotten when they meet again in international colours.

“When it comes to the rivalry with Ronaldo at club level that's a different thing all together,” Suarez said.

“This is a World Cup and of course we're all defending and we're all working for our national teams, and that's the essential aspect. Everybody will try and give their utmost tomorrow as to prevail.”