Cristiano Ronaldo to miss World Cup games

Manchester United have kept a close eye on their former stars this week as international fixtures continue to shape the build-up to next summer’s World Cup.

Several current United players are involved in decisive qualification matches, with the club hoping they return to Carrington without fresh injury concerns.

The global schedule has also drawn attention to the sheer pressure facing elite national teams as tensions rise heading into the final qualifying rounds.

Across Europe, VAR interventions have dominated discussions once again, with managers and players increasingly frustrated by controversial decisions on the biggest stages.

And with United’s coaching staff monitoring every moment, one incident involving a familiar face has quickly become the talking point of the week.

It involves a former Manchester United great who endured one of the most dramatic nights of his long international career as Portugal suffered a shock 2-0 defeat to Ireland in Dublin.

Cristiano Ronaldo was shown the first international red card of his career after a VAR review judged him guilty of violent conduct on the hour mark.

The incident unfolded after a poor first-half display from Portugal left the forward visibly frustrated, leading to a heated exchange.

It was a clash with Dara O’Shea that ultimately ended Ronaldo’s night.

After failing to meet a wayward cross, he swung an arm that sent O’Shea to the turf, initially earning a yellow card before the referee upgraded it to red following a lengthy VAR check.

Cristiano Ronaldo reacted with disbelief, sarcastically applauding the roaring home crowd inside the Aviva Stadium before walking off the pitch.

Footage later showed him directing comments towards the Irish bench, appearing to mouth “well done” before being pulled away by former Chelsea defender Ricardo Carvalho.

The dismissal not only capped a miserable evening for the former United forward but has also placed his World Cup hopes in jeopardy.

Straight red cards in international football usually carry a two-match suspension, meaning he is now at risk of missing Portugal’s opening game at the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico, which is almost certain to be his final appearance on the global stage should his nation qualify.

Portugal face Armenia on Sunday in their concluding qualifier, with any ban set to carry into next summer’s tournament.

If he receives a three match ban, he will subsequently miss Portugal’s opening two World Cup games if they are to qualify.

Adding an ironic twist to the night, Ronaldo had stated just hours before kick-off that he intended to be a “good boy” on his return to Ireland, praising the home supporters and joking about the reception he expected.

For Ireland, the victory is a monumental boost as they push for their first World Cup appearance since 2002, moving to within one point of Hungary ahead of a decisive clash between the two sides on Sunday.