"Why are we even discussing this?" - Portugal boss hits back at 'disrespectful' query questioning Cristiano Ronaldo's 'commitment'

Portugal coach Roberto Martinez hit back at a reporter who questioned superstar forward Cristiano Ronaldo's 'commitment' to the nation's bid to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The Spaniard claimed that the query was 'disrespectful' and not even worth discussing.

In the Selecao das Quinas' 2-0 loss to Ireland earlier this week (November 13), Ronaldo was sent off for the first time on the international stage. The 40-year-old, cutting a frustrated figure, elbowed out at Irish defender Dara O'Shea in the 61st minute.

Initially, referee Glenn Nyberg showed him a yellow card; however, after intervention from the video assistant referee (VAR), he was given his marching orders. Due to the suspension, he has been released from Portugal's squad ahead of their final World Cup qualifier fixture against Armenia at Porto's Estadio do Dragao.

At a press conference ahead of the game, a reporter asked if Ronaldo will be present in Porto in spite of his exclusion from Martinez's side. The Spanish tactician replied (via @TheNassrZone on X):

"I’ve spoken before about how the national team operates: when a player is injured, he is not in the squad, and when a player is suspended, he is not in the squad. Because his focus is not on playing. We have always worked this way, when a player is not on the matchday roster, he is not with the national team."

"Because the players’ focus must be on winning. We already did this with Bruno in Ireland. Cristiano also received yellow cards before and was not present, that was against Luxembourg, and we achieved our best result ever. These questions are disrespectful to Cristiano and to those present here. They imply doubt about Cristiano’s commitment. Why are we even discussing this?” Martinez added.

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Do you expect to see Cristiano Ronaldo at the Dragao? Roberto Martinez: “I’ve spoken before about how the national team operates: when a player is injured, he is not in the squad, and when a player is suspended, he is not in the squad. Because his focus is not on playing. We

A win against Armenia on Sunday (November 16) will secure Portugal's spot at the FIFA World Cup next summer.

"Unlikeable" - Ex-Premier League star hits out at Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo after his red card vs Ireland

Former Premier League star Tony Cascarino has branded legendary attacker Cristiano Ronaldo as 'unlikeable' after he received a red card in Portugal's 2-0 defeat to Ireland.

Cascarino, who played for Chelsea, Aston Villa and Marseille and scored 19 goals in 88 international appearances for Ireland, said (via TalkSPORT):

"There's something about Ronaldo, that he's unlikeable. As in everything always seems to revolve around him. What he's done in football is extraordinary, he's an amazing physical specimen, he absolutely is the ultra professional in the way he goes about his business. But there's a side to him that doesn't feel humble at times... It doesn't feel like he's a team player sometimes."

With the length of his suspension still uncertain, there is a chance that Ronaldo misses Portugal's opening fixture at the 2026 World Cup, should they secure their spot at the tournament. If he receives the maximum three-game ban from FIFA, he could miss out on the first two clashes in the group stage.