Bruno Fernandes has revealed Cristiano Ronaldo 'knows he made a mistake' following his red card in Portugal's 2-0 defeat to the Republic of Ireland on Thursday night.
The visitors were beaten 2-0 in Dublin courtesy of a brace from former Tottenham striker Troy Parrott.
But it was Ronaldo who dominated the headlines, albeit for all the wrong reasons, with the 40-year-old receiving his marching orders in the second half following an elbow on Dara O'Shea.
The Al-Nassr star hasn't commented since and was visibly irritated as he left the field, with Irish fans wasting no time in mocking him.
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According to Fernandes, however, his former Manchester United teammate 'knows he made a mistake'.
Speaking at a press conference ahead of Portugal's match with Armenia, which will take place on Sunday, the midfielder stated: “It was just a football moment. Cristiano reacted in a way he didn’t intend, and it cost the team. He knows he made a mistake, but such moments happen."
On the result, he added: “Ireland defended well; we moved the ball too slowly. We need to be quicker and more direct.
Cristiano Ronaldo was furious after his red card for Portugal against Ireland | GETTY
Five things to know about Cristiano Ronaldo | GETTY/REUTERS"But we analyse mistakes the same way - in wins or losses."
After the match against Ireland, Portugal boss Roberto Martinez launched a passionate defence of Ronaldo.
He insisted that one red card - in his 226th international appearance - shouldn't be used against the football legend.
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Roberto Martinez has explained his decision to send Cristiano Ronaldo home
| GETTYAnd Martinez was unhappy to be asked about Ronaldo during Saturday's press conference, with the former Wigan, Everton and Swansea boss insisting it's 'disrespectful' given the forward is unavailable for selection.
“We have a clear principle: if a player is injured or suspended, he cannot be with the team," he said when asked why the Al-Nassr powerhouse had been sent home.
'Such questions are disrespectful to Ronaldo and to those who are here now. His dedication is impeccable. He simply cannot be with the team at the moment."
Ronaldo, if found guilty of violent conduct by FIFA, could miss Portugal's first matches at the 2026 World Cup - providing they qualify automatically.
Yet Martinez says Portugal will try and defend their captain the best they can, adding: “It was a reaction to provocation that had started early in the game. It wasn’t violence.
"We will try to prove this, because a long suspension would be unfair."
Cristiano Ronaldo could miss Portugal's first game of the 2026 World Cup following his dismissal against Ireland | GETTYMeanwhile, regarding the match with Armenia, Martinez has admitted that the minnows will represent a tough test.
And he's also backed Paris Saint-Germain striker Goncalo Ramos to step up in Ronaldo's absence, too.
“Many didn’t know what to expect from Armenia. The new coach had little time before our first meeting, but the team is smart, knows how to play, and has creative potential," he explained.
"Defensively, they have an organized line of five. Armenia played good matches against Ireland; they were simply unlucky. This is a very competitive team, and we respect them. I liked the work of their coach.
“We still have a training session left. We always try to have two players for every position.
"Goncalo is a natural forward who has already shown good moments for the national team. He has the best minutes-per-goal ratio in European competitions. I can’t name the starting XI, but he will be important."