Cristiano Ronaldo sends message to Portugal teammates on Instagram as he misses crucial game against Armenia due to red-card suspension

Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo, who is suspended for two games, sent a message to his teammates ahead of their FIFA World Cup qualifier against Armenia. The Al-Nassr captain wants them to fight for the flag and seal the top spot in the group.

Taking to Instagram, Ronaldo shared a recent photo of the Portugal players celebrating a goal and encouraged them to do well. He wrote:

"Let's go team! All together today and forever! For Portugal and our flag!"

The national team captain was sent off in the 2-0 loss to Ireland last week and misses the final World Cup qualifier today, November 16. Bruno Fernandes spoke about Ronaldo missing the key game in his pre-match press conference and said (via The Nassr Zone):

"A red card is something normal in football. It was a moment where Cristiano Ronaldo reacted in a way that cost him dearly. He knows it wasn't something he wanted to do, but it happened, and he knows he made a mistake.

"He won't be able to help us tomorrow, but that doesn't change the fact that even before the red card, we were already behind in the score. Obviously, that made things more difficult because we were only playing with ten men, and we didn't have a player capable of scoring at any moment."

Portugal need a win or a draw against Armenia to finish on top of the group and qualify directly for the FIFA World Cup. A loss could see them finish second in the table if Hungary beat Ireland, and they will be forced to play in the playoffs to seal their place.

Cristiano Ronaldo labeled unlikable after red card in Portugal's loss to Ireland

Former Ireland star Tony Cascarino has slammed Cristiano Ronaldo after his red card for elbowing Dara O'Shea. He labelled the Portugal captain as unlikable for his behavior and said on talkSPORT:

"There's something about Ronaldo that is unlikable, as in everything always seems to revolve around him. I don't know him, I know players who played with him. If you look at him from what he's done in football, it's extraordinary.

"He's an amazing physical specimen, he's absolutely ultra-professional in the way he goes about his business. But there's a side to him that doesn't feel that humble at times. Look, he's achieved the all-time goalscoring record with Portugal, he's achieved the all-time cap record, he's chasing Pele's records."

Cristiano Ronaldo will miss the first match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup if Portugal finish first in the group and qualify directly. If they finish second, he will miss the first leg of the playoffs.