Cristiano Ronaldo suspended after unexpected clash with former Man United teammate
Cristiano Ronaldo is currently serving a one-match international suspension for a collision with an ex-Manchester United teammate.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Martin Dubravka, a former goalkeeper for Manchester United, squared off during Portugal’s weekend match against Slovakia.
In the 62nd minute, Ronaldo reached for the ball inside the penalty area, and his foot collided with Dubravka’s forehead.
The 38-year-old forward was shown a yellow card. He will now serve a one-game suspension, missing Portugal’s game tonight against Luxembourg, a side he had hoped to score against and add to his incredible 123 international goals.
Ronaldo and Dubravka have never played together in actuality.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Martin Dubravka were teammates during the first half of the 2022/23 season, when the Newcastle loanee was acquired.
Dubravka was an unused substitute in Ronaldo’s final Manchester United match against Aston Villa at Old Trafford last November, one of several occasions when the duo shared matchday squads.
However, they did not play a single minute on the field together for Manchester United.
Dubravka made only two Carabao Cup appearances for Manchester United; Ronaldo was not in the squads for either and had departed the club by mutual agreement by the time Dubravka made his second and final Carabao Cup appearance.
There were no bitter feelings following the match. The Chronicle cited Dubravka as saying, “He struck me in the shoulder, neck, and chest.” I just closed my eyes and prayed that he wouldn’t strike me in the face.
“In these situations, the goalkeeper closes his eyes and simply attempts to block the shot, and the striker must pursue the object. It is a sport. This is football. Such occurrences are common. Obviously, he understood that I had struck and inquired whether I was alright. I accept it in good spirit.”
Bruno Fernandes’ opinion
Bruno Fernandes, midfielder for Manchester United, is confident that his squad will step up in Ronaldo’s absence.
Fernandes, who scored the game-winning goal against Slovakia, told Record, “We are well aware of Cristiano’s ability to create space for other players. He is a player who garners much focus, but we have a full roster and must be prepared to demonstrate our quality.”
Cristiano Ronaldo suspended after unexpected clash with former Man United teammate