Cristiano Ronaldo was sent off for violent conduct in Portugal’s 2-0 loss to Ireland, potentially ruling him out of their opening match at the 2026 World Cup.
Key Points:
Cristiano Ronaldo received a red card for elbowing Ireland’s Dara O’Shea.
The initial yellow card was upgraded after a VAR review.
This was his first-ever red card in 226 appearances for Portugal.
He faces a mandatory one-match ban in competitive fixtures.
The suspension could be extended for violent conduct under FIFA rules.
Portugal can still qualify for the World Cup with a win against Armenia.
Ronaldo reacted sarcastically to jeering fans after his dismissal.
In a career defined by glorious highs, this unprecedented low serves as a stark reminder that even legends are not immune to the storms of emotion and consequence.
Sources: ESPN, Punch Newspapers