Portuguese media rage at Cristiano Ronaldo as apology demanded following Ireland red card

He initially received a yellow, only for VAR to upgrade the decision to a red - much to his dismay and frustration.

The former Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus and Sporting Lisbon star was visibly furious, with the veteran sarcastically applauding the Dublin crowd as he made his way off the field.

Furthermore, Ronaldo also attempted to confront Ireland boss Heimir Hallgrímsson - who had previously accused the football icon of influencing the officials in the reverse fixture.

It marked the forward's first dismissal at international level.

And with Ronaldo potentially facing a three-game ban, it means he could be unavailable for selection at the start of the World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada next summer.

Portuguese media have typically idolised the 40-year-old. However, on this occasion, they've been relentless in their criticism.

A Bola gave the Al-Nassr star a 2/10 rating and said he should be 'ashamed' of his actions. Goncalo Ramos, who replaced him up top, got given a 6/10.

In a comment piece, columnist Hugo Vasconcelos wrote: "Ronaldo is 40 years old.

"At Wednesday's press conference, he made a point of provoking opponents, the Irish national team coach, and the public. He was the one who created the atmosphere that he couldn't handle.

"But the worst part was the reaction, that whole charade - from the crying, as if the Irishman who took the elbow was faking it, to the head gestures, as if he didn't understand what was happening, to the applause from the crowd, as if it was the fault of the stands, and not himself, that he was being sent off.

"Ronaldo made a mistake. The least he could do is apologise, but what he should really do is be ashamed."

Zero Zero, another outlet, gave Ronaldo a 6.5/10 but ripped into him by saying: "A disaster.

"The captain of the national team had a night to forget. With the ball, he was merely a body present. Without it... he was even less present.

"He culminated this performance with an attitude unworthy of his career. He will miss the game at the Dragao stadium and, perhaps, the first match of the World Cup."

Over at O Jogo, Nuno Vieira wrote that Ronaldo had been 'unable to withstand the pressure from the fans and, above all, the adversity of the result'.

At Publico, Marco Vaza said the football legend didn't make a single good decision during his time on the field.

Ronaldo is yet to apologise for his actions, or even discuss them.

Yet he was defended by Portugal boss Roberto Martinez after the game, with the former Everton, Wigan and Swansea City boss saying: "He's just a captain that has never been sent off before in 226 games, so I think that deserves credit.

"Today, I think it was a bit harsh, because he cares about the team. He had 60 minutes being grabbed, being pulled, being pushed.

"Obviously when he tries to get away from the defender, the action looks worse than it actually is. I don't think it’s the elbow, I think it's the full body. But from where the camera is, it looks like an elbow.

"We accept it because it is a red card. But it is for the right reasons; he cares, he was in the mood of the team and we were frustrated."

Prior to the red card, Hallgrimsson had suggested that Ronaldo was influencing the referee during the reverse fixture.

Martinez, discussing that flashpoint, added: "The only thing that leaves a taste in my mouth is that in the press conference, your coach was talking about the aspect of the referees being influenced and then a big centre-half falls on the floor, dramatically, for Cristiano.

"We need to make sure we win the next game for him."