DUBLIN, IRELAND – NOVEMBER 13: Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal reacts during the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Republic of Ireland and Portugal at Aviva Stadium on November 13, 2025 in Dublin, Ireland. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)
Head coach of Portugal’s National Men’s Football Team, Roberto Martinez, has described the dismissal of Portugal’s captain Cristiano Ronaldo as harsh.
He said this in a post-game interview according to the BBC in the aftermath of Portugal’s shock 2-0 loss to Ireland in a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier.
Ronaldo was shown a red card after elbowing the back of Ireland’s Dara O’Shea in the 61st minute and Ireland head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson said Ronaldo got frustrated and lost his focus.
On his part, Roberto Martinez said the dismissal of Portugal’s superstar forward was over the top but accepted the decision and Cristiano Ronaldo’s subsequent absence in Portugal’s next game against Armenia on Sunday, November 16 at 14:00 GMT.
“I thought it was a bit harsh because he cares about the team.”
Portugal head coach Roberto Martinez during a press conference (Photo by Brian Lawless/PA Images via Getty Images)
“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. We accept it” Martinez said.
Dara O’Shea of Republic of Ireland goes down after a tussle with Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal, 7, resulting in a red card for Cristiano Ronaldo, during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group F Qualifier match between Republic of Ireland and Portugal (Photo By David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile via Getty Images)
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