Ronaldo’s Red Card Sparks Debate as Martinez Defends Portugal Captain After Shock Ireland Defeat

Portugal manager Roberto Martinez has spoken out in defence of captain Cristiano Ronaldo after the veteran forward was shown a red card during Portugal’s 2–0 loss to the Republic of Ireland in Thursday’s World Cup qualifier in Dublin.

The 40-year-old was sent off after appearing to elbow defender Dara O’Shea during a tussle inside the penalty area. The referee initially issued a yellow card, but following advice from VAR, upgraded it to a straight red — ruling Ronaldo out of Portugal’s final qualifier against Armenia on Sunday.

Martinez, however, believes the incident has been blown out of proportion.

According to the former Belgium boss, Ronaldo was only trying to shake off defenders who were tightly marking him throughout the match.

“It’s difficult for a player like Cristiano to be in the penalty area,” Martinez said after the game.
“He had constant contact with the defenders, who were grabbing him. There was no violence — he tried to push them away.
He was unlucky. I think the angle of the images makes it worse than it actually happened. It’s his first red card for the national team — it’s incredible.”

Opinion: A Harsh Call or an Inevitable Moment?

Cristiano Ronaldo’s red card has instantly become one of the biggest talking points of the qualifiers — and understandably so. For a player who has represented Portugal in over two decades of elite football without a single national-team red card, the moment feels both shocking and symbolic.

But looking closely, this incident highlights a deeper reality:
Ronaldo is still heavily targeted by defenders, and physical battles around him often attract controversy. He plays with intensity, commands attention, and naturally draws aggressive marking — sometimes more than the referee protects.

Was the red card harsh?
Possibly yes. The VAR angle did make the collision look worse, and Ronaldo’s action seemed more like frustration than intention to harm.

But at the same time, the laws of modern football are unforgiving. Anything near the face — even accidental — becomes a risk in the VAR era.

As Portugal push for World Cup qualification, this moment serves as a reminder that even the biggest stars aren’t immune to the fine margins of today’s football. And for Ronaldo, nearing the twilight of his career, it is a rare blemish on an otherwise disciplined international record.