Cristiano Ronaldo continues to break new ground even as he approaches his 41st birthday, but his performance against the Republic of Ireland was not something worth celebrating.
The most capped player in the history of men's international soccer was sent off for his national team for the very first time in the World Cup qualifying match in Dublin on November 13.
Ronaldo was given a straight red card following a VAR review after an incident in the second half of the match at the Aviva Stadium, in which Roberto Martinez's side were already 2-0 down.
Here, AllSportsPeople explains what happened, and what sort of suspension Ronaldo could now face.
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Why was Cristiano Ronaldo sent off vs. Ireland?
Ronaldo was shown a straight red card for violent conduct in the 61st minute of the match.
The veteran forward elbowed Ireland defender Dara O'Shea in the back as the two jostled in the home side's penalty area. Referee Glenn Nyberg initially showed a yellow card to Ronaldo, but after reviewing the incident on the pitchside monitor following a recommendation by VAR, he upgraded the punishment to a red card.
🟥 ¡Cristiano Ronaldo se marcha expulsado por una agresión en el Irlanda - Portugal!
— El Partidazo de COPE (@partidazocope) November 13, 2025
📺 El árbitro revisó la jugada en el VAR y cambió la amarilla por la roja
📻 #PartidazoCOPE pic.twitter.com/6oLDOaiQnH
O'Shea then dropped to the turf to make sure the incident had been noticed, but it was an entirely correct decision to dismiss Ronaldo, who had earlier made crying gestures toward Ireland's players amid the febrile atmosphere of the Aviva Stadium. The crowd responded by chanting "Messi" as Ronaldo walked from the pitch, prompting him to applaud them.
It was a foolish display of petulance from such a vastly experienced player, and one that effectively left his team with no chance of mounting a comeback.
How many games will Cristiano Ronaldo be suspended for?
Ronaldo will likely receive a ban of between one and three games, depending on how severe the offence is judged to be. A two-match suspension is most probable.
That means he will certainly miss Sunday’s final qualifying game against Armenia, which Portugal must win in order to finish top of Group F and secure an automatic place at the World Cup next year.
He could also be forced to sit out one or more additional competitive (i.e., non-friendly) games should his suspension be increased to two or three matches.
Could Cristiano Ronaldo be banned for Portugal's first World Cup game?
It is possible that Ronaldo's suspension will carry over to the World Cup itself, should Portugal qualify.
If he is given a two- or three-game ban, and Portugal finish top of their qualifying group, then the next competitive games they will play will be in the group stage of the World Cup. That means he could be forced to miss playing time in the tournament.
Cristiano Ronaldo is set to miss Portugal's first game of the World Cup after being sent off on VAR review for violent conduct.
— Dale Johnson (@DaleJohnsonBBC) November 13, 2025
He should 🤔 get a two-game ban which would be served vs. Armenia on Sunday and the first game of the World Cup. (Assuming Portugal qualify auto).
If Portugal finish second in their qualifying group, they will enter the UEFA playoff round next March. Ronaldo would then be banned for two games of that mini-tournament.