Is Cristiano Ronaldo Playing Tonight for Portugal vs Ireland?

Photo by Luis Loureiro/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images

Is Cristiano Ronaldo Playing Tonight for Portugal vs Ireland?

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Emmanuel Mendez | Last updated Nov 13, 2025 1:08 PM ET

The November international break will bring a close to the first round of the European World Cup qualification stage, where many nations will directly qualify for the 2026 World Cup.

The Portuguese national team is a win away from qualification for the 2026 World Cup if they beat Ireland tonight in one of their last World Cup qualifiers.

As it is an important match for the Portuguese national team, many fans want to know if Cristiano Ronaldo will play the match against Ireland. Portugal is traveling to Dublin, Ireland, for the match at Aviva Stadium.

Ronaldo played last month for Portugal's previous two World Cup qualifiers against Ireland and Hungary.

Ronaldo did not play the full match against Hungary as he was taken off in the 78th minute, and many fans wonder if Portugal's head coach, Roberto Martinez, will give Ronaldo fewer minutes to avoid injury.

Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo during a press conference at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Ireland. Picture date: Wednesday November 12, 2025. (Photo by Brian Lawless/PA Images via Getty Images)

Ronaldo spoke in a press conference ahead of the match against Ireland, which is an indicator that not only will he play the match, but the Portuguese striker will start the match.

The Portuguese star was asked about his role in the national team and said that his spot in the starting XI is not guaranteed, along with the rest of the players.

Ronaldo said, "There’s no doubt about it, no one has a guaranteed spot. It’s about merit, based on the moment each player is going through. And I’m one of them, and I try to repay the trust when I start as a starter."

Ronaldo on Irish Fans at Aviva Stadium

Cristiano Ronaldo expressed excitement to play against Ireland at Aviva Stadium because of the Irish fans in attendance. With Portugal and Ronaldo being the away team, the Portuguese striker expects boos from the fans.

Ronaldo suggests that the boos are expected but welcomed as he believes it will boost him and take the pressure off the rest of the Portuguese players, who are very close to qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.

Ronaldo said, "It’s obvious the crowd will boo me tomorrow, and I actually hope they do, because it takes the pressure off the other players."

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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