Ireland Manager Reveals What Cristiano Ronaldo Said To Him After Red Card

Republic of Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson has revealed what Cristiano Ronaldo told him immediately after being sent off in Portugal's 2-0 World Cup qualifying defeat.

Ronaldo was shown a straight red card on 60 minutes after elbowing centre-back Dara O'Shea off the ball.

After a brief tussle between the pair, video replays showed Ronaldo aiming an elbow at O'Shea's back, with the Ipswich defender going to ground.

Portugal were already 2-0 down at the time, and Ronaldo's dismissal effectively ended any chance of them getting back into the game.

As he walked off the pitch, the Al Nassr striker made a sarcastic thumbs-up gesture towards an Ireland supporter who was taunting him.

He then angrily confronted Ireland boss Hallgrimsson and members of his backroom staff.

Ronaldo is likely to receive a two-game ban for his red card - the latter of which will be served at the 2026 World Cup should Portugal qualify.

They are two points ahead of second-placed Hungary in Group F, and three points ahead of Ireland. Hungary host Ireland on the last matchday, while Portugal - who are guaranteed of at least a play-off place - host Armenia.

Speaking to media post-match, former Iceland coach Hallgrimsson revealed what Ronaldo told him during their confrontation.

"Yeah, he complimented me with putting pressure on the referee," he said. "But listen, it had nothing to do with me.

"It was his action on the pitch that cost him a red card. It had nothing to do with me. Unless I got in his head.

"I think we spoke enough when he went off. There's nothing to speak about. This was just a moment of silliness from him, I would say."

Hallgrimsson sent Ronaldo warning before Portugal red card

Ironically, the incident came just days after Hallgrimsson had claimed that Ronaldo was 'controlling the referee' during the reverse fixture between the two nations in Portugal, which Roberto Martinez's side won 1-0.

He said: "He was not only controlling the referee, he was controlling the whole stadium.

"All the fans supported his actions. The referee just kind of played along. I hope it will be the vice versa when we are in the Aviva [Stadium, which hosted Thursday's fixture].

"Obviously, a player shouldn't be refereeing. It should be the officials doing the refereeing. I hope that the people here will see that and recognise that if they want to affect the game, they shouldn't at least affect the refereeing."