Cristiano Ronaldo may be one of the best players of all time, but there is no denying that he is not a personality when things are not going his way on the pitch, but this isn't to undermine his greatness; it just highlights his competitive mindset

The Portuguese superstar was on the receiving end of his first-ever red card on the international stage in a 2-0 defeat to Ireland on Friday, after a career that spanned well over two decades.

His actions on the night and the consequences have become the biggest talking point in the football world since their occurrence. Yet, not even the Al Nassr man would have expected any less, knowing how the media is always ready to pounce on his shortcomings.

His situation is also poorly timed, as it could see him miss the start of the FIFA World Cup next summer, as he has now been slapped with a three-game ban, ahead of Portugal's appeal.

Cristiano Ronaldo's first Portugal red card: How it happened

The moment of madness from the five-time Ballon d'Or winner came just a minute after the hour mark as the visitors, who were already 2-0 down to Troy Parrott's first-half double, won a free-kick near Ireland's penalty area.

As Portugal was preparing for a free-kick, Ronaldo and Irish defender Dara O'Shea were jostling for position inside the penalty area. Frustrated by the defender's close marking, Ronaldo spun around and threw his elbow into the Irish defender's back, near his shoulder blades.

Referee Glenn Nyberg initially issued a yellow card for the off-the-ball flare-up. However, the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) recommended a review.

After consulting the pitchside monitor, the referee upgraded the punishment and brandished a straight red card for violent conduct, earning Ronaldo’s first-ever red card in 226 Portugal games.

What happened after the sending off?

As he walked off the pitch, Ronaldo was seen clapping sarcastically and giving thumbs-up gestures towards the hostile Irish fans in the Aviva Stadium stands, which they met with boos and jeers.

Moments before the card, the forward was spotted making a crying gesture toward Irish centre-back Nathan Collins following a previous confrontation. Many home fans imitated this crying gesture back at him as he trudged off.

He then engaged in a heated exchange with Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrímsson near the touchline. Hallgrímsson later revealed Ronaldo had tried to blame him for the sending-off, claiming the manager’s pre-match comments had influenced the referee.

What was said after the match?

After the game, Hallgrímsson revealed what was exchanged between himself and Ronaldo, stating that the striker was attempting to blame him for the red card:  

"He complimented me for putting pressure on the referee. It was his action on the pitch that cost him the red card. It had nothing to do with me—unless I got into his head." 

"He told me it was a clever thing to do. He blamed the referee or whoever for this, but it was his silly decision to attack our player. He was frustrated and reacted in a way that he knew he shouldn't."

When asked if they spoke after the match, Hallgrímsson was firm:

"No, I think we spoke enough when he came off. There was nothing to speak about. This was just a moment of a little silliness from him, I would say."

Meanwhile, the Portugal manager, Roberto Martinez, felt the red card decision was a bit harsh on his captain. The Spaniard said:

"The red card is just a captain that has never been sent off before in 226 games — I think that just deserves credit — and today, I thought it was a bit harsh because he cares about the team."

"He was 60 minutes or 58 minutes in the box being grabbed, being pulled, being pushed, and obviously, when he tries to get away from the defender, I think the action looks worse than what it actually is.

I don't think it's an elbow, I think it's a full body, but from where the camera is, it looks like an elbow."

"We accept it. It could be a red card but for the right reasons. There’s no violence, he tries to push them away. He was unlucky."  

"I’ve spoken to him and it's a play that shows his desire to reverse the score. I think the image is worse than the reality and it’s good to remember that it's the first expulsion of his career [with the national team]."

On the perceived influence of the Ireland coach and defender's reaction:

"The only thing that leaves a bitter taste in my mouth is at the press conference [Wednesday], your coach was talking about the aspect of the referees being influenced, and then a big center-half falls on the floor so dramatically at the turn of Cristiano’s body."

"What is disappointing is your coach was talking in the press conference about the aspect of the referee being influenced, then a big centre-back falls on the floor, dramatically."

On Ronaldo's overall conduct (in a separate interview urging leniency for a potential ban):

"I saw his reaction to a provocation. It started at the beginning of the game, in every play in the penalty area. It even started the day before in the press conference."

"It’s not a violent action, it’s not a red card for violence, but a reaction to a provocation. We need to try to show the case and prepare well. I would say it would be very unfair to impose a long suspension."

How serious is Cristiano Ronaldo's suspension?

The seriousness of Cristiano Ronaldo's suspension is significant because the final length of the ban, which could be up to three matches, threatens to rule him out of the start of the 2026 World Cup.

He has already served a mandatory one-game ban immediately, which saw him miss Portugal’s 9-1 final qualifier win over Armenia.

FIFA disciplinary rules demand a ban of at least two matches for serious foul play. The rules require a ban of at least three matches for violent conduct, or at least three matches, or an appropriate period of time for assault, including elbowing.

These extra games must be served in competitive fixtures. Hence, the suspension will carry into the World Cup, and the Portugal captain will miss the opening two games of the tournament.

Portugal appeals the decision

Ronaldo and the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) face a potential three-week wait for FIFA's official verdict after submitting their appeal to have the decision overturned

They hope that the suspension will be limited to the one-game ban already served by their captain, as they wish to have him available for the opening rounds of the World Cup.

The argument is that the action was a reaction to provocation, not violent conduct, stating: “Obviously, when he tries to get away from the defender, I think the action looks worse than what it actually is.”