Cristiano Ronaldo was sent off for the first time in his Portugal career in his side’s World Cup 2026 Qualifier against Ireland on Thursday. The Al Nassr star sarcastically applauded the Irish fans, who jeered and booed at him. Ronaldo faces the risk of missing Portugal’s FIFA World Cup 2026 opener should the ban be extended.
Cristiano Ronaldo was the centre of controversy in Portugal’s FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers on Thursday. The former Manchester United star was sent off for elbowing defender Dara O’Shea in the second half. It was the first ever red card in his international career for Ronaldo, who walked off sarcastically applauding the referee’s decision.
The Irish fans responded calling the Portugal legend a ‘cry baby’. The hosts jeered and booed in jubilation as the 40-year-old made his way off the field, making the ‘crying baby’ gesture. Incidentally, the Real Madrid legend had made the same gesture towards Nathan Collins, five minutes before he was sent off.
Cristiano Ronaldo will never forget these Ireland fans 😂😂😂The booed him so hard off the pitch 😭😭😭
— 𝐂𝐀 𝐕𝐀?🐐🐐 (@psg_chief) November 13, 2025
Ronaldo will serve a mandatory one-game ban imposed for any red card when Portugal hosts Armenia on Sunday. He confronted Irish head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson while walking off the field.
Ronaldo spun round and swung his right elbow into O’Shea’s back. The referee had initially given a yellow, only for VAR to intervene and convert it into a red. The 40-year-old walked off the field being jeered and mocked by Ireland fans. He paused to stop and looked at the fans, applauded them and raised two thumbs up in an apparent sarcastic gesture.
Just before the ref decided to send him off, Ronaldo told the player he elbowed to stop crying. After VAR intervened and the red came out, the Irish fans hit him with the exact same gesture 😂😭 pic.twitter.com/NrNhcNlKNh
— Footy Humour (@FootyHumour) November 13, 2025
Ronaldo will miss Portugal’s final FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier against Armenia as he serves a suspension. It is a must-win clash for the Nations League holders, with 3 points guaranteeing a World Cup 2026 spot.