Cristiano Ronaldo Faces Career-Threatening Fallout: Portuguese Columnist Delivers Scathing Verdict After Shocking Red Card

Last night’s showdown at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium left more than just a dent in Portugal’s quest for World Cup glory — it unleashed a storm back home, with Cristiano Ronaldo at the eye of it all. The iconic captain’s red card in the 61st minute didn’t just slash the scoreboard for Roberto Martinez’s Ireland; it pushed Portugal’s qualification hopes to the wire, postponing their fate until Sunday’s showdown against Armenia. But it’s not just the scoreline stirring the pot. The headlines this morning are dominated by harsh critiques from the Portuguese press, blasting Ronaldo’s conduct and questioning the veteran’s leadership. Critics don’t just lament the elbow that earned him an early exit; they’re calling out his provocative pre-match antics and theatrical post-sending-off behavior — painting a picture of a star who lost his cool when it mattered most. Whether or not Portugal still sails through, the fallout from this night is shaking the very foundation of the team’s discipline and spirit. LEARN MORE

The Portuguese press this morning slammed Cristiano Ronaldo for his conduct in last night’s World Cup qualifying defeat to the Republic of Ireland.

Ronaldo was sent off in the 61st minute as Roberto Martinez’s side lost 2-0 in Dublin, meaning their qualification for the World Cup next summer has been delayed to the final matchday on Sunday.

Portugal are still odds-on to advance with victory over Group F whipping boys Armenia enough to see them secure a place in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

But the manner of the setback at the Aviva Stadium has caused ructions in Portugal.

An editorial in leading sports daily A Bola laid the blame squarely at the door of Ronaldo and Martinez.

In a comment piece, columnist Hugo Vasconcelos wrote: “The most serious thing yesterday was Cristiano Ronaldo doing his own thing. What the captain of Portugal did was unfortunate. And I don’t just mean aggression, because losing your head in a moment of frustration can, although it shouldn’t, happen.

“Ronaldo is 40 years old. At Wednesday’s press conference, he made a point of provoking opponents, the Irish coach and the public. He was the one who created the climate that he couldn’t handle.”

Turns out Ronaldo was not a ‘good boy’

Vasconcelos was referring to Ronaldo’s pre-match appearance in front of the media in which he pointed out the hosts would be eliminated with a defeat while promising to be a “good boy” in the face of what he predicted would be a hostile reception.

The Al-Nassr striker got what he expected but failed to keep his cool, elbowing Ireland defender Dara O’Shea in the back in a challenge that was upgraded from a yellow to a red card following the intervention of the VAR.

The pantomime was worst of all

Ronaldo failed to leave the field quietly, sarcastically giving a thumbs up and applauding the Aviva Stadium crowd before engaging in heated words with Ireland boss Heimir Hallgrimsson.

“But the worst [thing of all] was the reaction, all that pantomime – from crying, as if the Irishman who took the elbow was pretending, the facial gestures, as if he didn’t realise what was happening, to clapping the crowd, as if it was the fault of the fans, and not himself, who was being sent-off,” added Vasconcelos.

“Ronaldo made a mistake. The least you can do is apologise, but what you really should do was be ashamed. But if even Martínez runs his hand through his hair and says that ‘there was no violence’, and ‘he was unlucky’, I have no great hope.”