Cristiano Ronaldo made headlines on Thursday afternoon within the UEFA 2026 World Cup qualifiers towards Eire, not for including to his historic purpose tally, however for receiving the primary crimson card of his Portugal profession. It’s an undesirable milestone for the 40-year-old, and one which brings new comparisons to Lionel Messi’s disciplinary document with Argentina.
At Dublin Area, Eire surprised Portugal by scoring twice within the first half by means of Troy Parrott, forcing Roberto Martínez’s aspect to push ahead after the break. However within the 59th minute, as Renato Veiga tried a cross into the field, Ronaldo caught defender Dara O’Shea with an elbow to the again, prompting referee Glenn Nyberg to point out him a yellow card.
Moments later, nonetheless, the Swedish official was referred to as to the VAR monitor for a assessment. After taking one other look, Nyberg upgraded the warning to a straight crimson, sending Ronaldo off within the 61st minute. As he walked towards the tunnel, Irish followers taunted him with chants of “Messi,” including insult to a historic second in Ronaldo’s national-team profession.
Ronaldo made his Portugal debut in August 2003 at simply 18 years previous and has since performed 225 matches, scoring a world-record 143 worldwide targets whereas receiving 32 yellow playing cards. However in his 226th look, greater than 20 years after his debut, he was lastly proven crimson for the primary time with the nationwide group.
Cristiano Ronaldo reacts after being proven his first Portugal’s crimson card following VAR assessment.
Whereas that is his first dismissal with Portugal, Ronaldo isn’t any stranger to seeing crimson at membership degree. Over the course of his skilled profession, he has been despatched off 12 instances, 4 for second yellows and eight straight reds. With Thursday’s incident, his general tally rises to 13.
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Cristiano Ronaldo’s crimson card seals Portugal’s destiny as they lose 2-0 to Eire, lacking one other probability to safe a spot within the 2026 World Cup
Was Messi despatched off with Argentina?
As the 2 most influential gamers of their era, Ronaldo and Messi are continuously in contrast, together with in how they conduct themselves on the pitch. And whereas each have largely maintained disciplined careers, neither celebrity has a spotless document together with his nationwide group.
Messi has been despatched off twice for Argentina. The primary got here in his debut: a 2005 pleasant towards Hungary on August 17. After coming into the match within the sixty fourth minute, Messi lasted simply 43 seconds earlier than being proven a straight crimson for hanging Vilmos Vanczák together with his arm as he tried to interrupt free from a problem, prompting referee Markus Merk to dismiss him.
His second crimson card got here through the 2019 Copa América within the third-place match towards Chile. Within the thirty seventh minute, Messi and defender Gary Medel clashed chest-to-chest after a contested ball, and referee Mario Díaz de Vivar issued crimson playing cards to each gamers.
Gary Medel of Chile argues with Lionel Messi of Argentina in Copa America Brazil 2019.
Pissed off by the officiating all through the match, Messi sharply criticized CONMEBOL after the match, which Argentina gained 2–1. The confederation responded by handing Messi a three-month suspension, forcing him to overlook 4 friendlies with the nationwide group.
