Cristiano Ronaldo has reportedly left the Portuguese camp after receiving a red card in the defeat against Ireland. The Portuguese superstar was sent off during his country’s 2-0 defeat to the Republic of Ireland earlier this week. Ronaldo was sent off for allegedly elbowing Ireland defender Dara O’Shea. He was initially given a yellow card, but the referee upped the sanction after VAR intervention.
Ronaldo received an automatic one-match suspension for his red card and will miss Sunday’s match between Portugal and Armenia. According to A Bora, he is currently released from international duty. The 40-year-old is currently scheduled to return to Saudi Arabia in preparation for his return to action next weekend with club team Al Nasr, who will take on Al Khaleej.
In response to Ronaldo’s red card, Portuguese national team coach Roberto Martínez said, “He is a captain who has never been sent off for a red card in 226 games.I think that deserves praise, but I thought it was a little tough today because he is thinking about the team.”
“He was there in the 60th or 58th minute when he was grabbed, pulled, pushed and obviously trying to get away from a defender in the box.”
“I think the action looks worse than it actually is. I don’t think it’s an elbow. I think it’s a full body, but from the camera position it looks like an elbow. But we’ll take it.”
“The only thing that leaves a bitter taste in my mouth is that in yesterday’s press conference, the coach was talking about the influence of the referee. Then the moment Cristiano turned his body, the big centre-half fell so dramatically to the floor.”
Meanwhile, Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson added: “He complimented me for putting pressure on the referee. It was his actions on the pitch that gave him the red card. It had nothing to do with me unless I got into his head.”
Asked after the match whether he had spoken to Ronaldo, Hallgrimsson said: “No, I think we spoke enough when he was sent off.”
“There was nothing to talk about. I would say this was just one moment of stupidity on his part.”
Ronaldo’s expulsion means he may not be able to play in Portugal’s opening World Cup match. If Portugal automatically qualify and Ronaldo’s suspension is extended to three games, he could miss the first two games of the competition’s group stage.
