Dark week for Cristiano Ronaldo. During Portugal’s match against Ireland, in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, the Al-Nassr star lost his composure and delivered a violent elbow to the back of Dara O’Shea, opposing defender. The referee did not hesitate and sent off CR7, who will therefore miss the decisive match against Armenia.
But the worst could be yet to come. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner, who announced that he wanted to play his last World Cup, risks a suspension of several matches. According to the Fifa disciplinary code: “At least three matches or an appropriate duration for assault, including elbowing, punching, kicking, biting, spitting or any assault on an opponent”.
In Portugal, this expulsion caused a real uproar. Daily life In Bola judges the conduct of CR7 “a shame” and criticizes his behavior after the action. “Crying as if the Irishman was faking it, shrugging his shoulders, looking at the crowd… as if the expulsion was the fault of the stands and not his”writes the media.
Roberto Martinez must decide
The newspaper also denounces the lack of reaction from coach Roberto Martinez. “Ronaldo made a mistake. The least he can do is apologize, but what he really should do is be ashamed. But if even Martinez defends him by saying: “there is no violence”, “he tried to push him away” and “he was unlucky”, then I have little hope…”writes Hugo Vasconcelos.
It remains to be seen whether Roberto Martinez, who supports the striker, will call on Cristiano Ronaldo in the event of qualification, despite the threat of a heavy suspension. For his part, the player returned to Saudi Arabia and will miss the first official match against Armenia. The final decision on his sanction should be made quickly, as the 2026 World Cup approaches.
