Superstar could play again sooner
Lighter punishment? Portugal wants to challenge Ronaldo’s red
November 16, 2025 – 4:14 p.mReading time: 1 min.
Cristiano Ronaldo could miss the 2016 European champion for longer – possibly even at the start of the 2026 World Cup. Now the Portuguese association apparently wants to try to shorten the superstar’s ban.
After the 40-year-old was sent off in the World Cup qualifier against Ireland (0-2), the superstar faces a ban of at least three games – usual for assaults such as his elbow check on Dara O’Shea. This means that Ronaldo would not only miss the last qualifying game against Armenia, but also the first two World Cup group games.
As the newspaper “A Bola” reports, the Portuguese association FPF with President Pedro Proença wants to apply to FIFA for a ban of just one game.
Proença, himself a former FIFA referee, wants to cite extenuating circumstances. On the one hand, the atmosphere in the stadium in Dublin was extremely hostile. Critical statements made by Irish national coach Heimir Hallgrimsson before the game are responsible for this, among other things.
In addition, Ronaldo was held before the foul – his reaction is therefore emotionally understandable. The fact that it was Ronaldo’s first red card in his 226th international match should also serve as an argument for a more lenient assessment.