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FourFourTwo
FourFourTwo
Sport
Joe Mewis

‘People wanted Ronaldo banned at the start of the World Cup – it was disrespectful to a player who’s put Portugal on the map. FIFA treated him fairly’ Maniche on Cristiano Ronaldo’s red card controversy

Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal reacts as he leaves the pitch after being shown a red card during the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Republic of Ireland and Portugal at Aviva Stadium on November 13, 2025 in Dublin, Ireland.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s quest to play in a sixth World Cup this summer took a dramatic twist at the climax of Portugal’s qualification campaign.

The 40-year-old received the first straight red of his international career when he swung an elbow at Ireland’s Dara O’Shea in their penultimate qualifier, meaning he had to sit out the 9-1 win over Armenia that booked his country’s place in this summer’s tournament.

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