Ronaldo’s Dismissal Overshadows Portugal’s Defeat Against Ireland

Portugal faced a challenging match against Ireland, trailing 2-0 at the time of Cristiano Ronaldo’s dismissal. The Aviva Stadium witnessed a decisive moment as Troy Parrott’s two goals led to Portugal’s defeat, with Ronaldo already in the dressing room by the final whistle after receiving a red card just after the hour mark.

Although Ronaldo, a five-time Ballon d’Or winner, has had moments of frustration throughout his career, he had never previously faced an international suspension. This incident marked a rare and unwelcome milestone for him on Irish soil.

Ireland’s head coach, Heimir Hallgrimsson, had noted prior to the match the impact Ronaldo could have on match officials. In response to the red card, which was issued following a VAR review, Portugal’s coach, Roberto Martinez, referenced Hallgrimsson’s comments.

Martinez stated, “The red card is just a captain that has never been sent off before in 226 games – I think that just deserves credit. Today, I thought it was a bit harsh because he cares about the team. He had spent 58 minutes in the box being grabbed, pulled, and pushed, and when he tried to escape from the defender, the action appeared worse than it was. I don’t believe it was an elbow; it was more of a full body movement. From the camera angle, it may have seemed different, but we accept the decision.”

He continued, expressing his concerns about the influence of referees, referencing the press conference where the Irish coach spoke on the topic, suggesting that a defender’s dramatic fall following Ronaldo’s movement could have swayed the official’s decision.

In discussions with the media, Martinez remarked on the difficulties of refereeing for a player like Ronaldo, who experiences constant physical contact in the penalty area. He emphasized that there was no intent of violence in Ronaldo’s actions, describing it as an unfortunate incident that reflected his desire to change the match’s outcome. He reiterated that this marks the first expulsion of Ronaldo’s international career.

As Portugal prepares to conclude their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign against Armenia, Ronaldo’s absence is confirmed. The duration of his suspension remains uncertain, with the possibility of facing a three-match ban for violent conduct as outlined in FIFA’s disciplinary code. The committee will determine his fate, which could result in missing crucial opening matches at the next summer’s finals.

With Ronaldo still performing at a high level with Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League, the legendary forward is eager to participate in major tournaments, particularly as he has indicated that the 2026 World Cup will be his final appearance on the world stage, coinciding with his 41st birthday in February.