Portugal captain and one of the greatest footballers of all time, Cristiano Ronaldo, is facing suspension ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
Ronaldo could miss at least the opening game of next year’s tournament after receiving a red card for violent conduct in the 2-0 defeat to the Republic of Ireland on Thursday.
The 40-year-old was initially shown a yellow card for elbowing Ireland defender Dara O’Shea in the 61st minute.
But, following a VAR review, the referee upgraded the decision to a red card.
It was Ronaldo’s first red card for Portugal in his 226th international appearance.
As per FIFA disciplinary rules, Ronaldo faces a mandatory one-match ban in competitive fixtures.
The regulations state that violent conduct could result in a ban of “at least three matches or an appropriate period of time for assault, including elbowing.”
The ban would apply to competitive games and cannot be served in pre-tournament friendlies.
