Sir Alex Ferguson issued a public warning to Cristiano Ronaldo after the then-Manchester United star was sent off for headbutting an opponent during a match against Portsmouth in 2007. The incident occurred with seven minutes remaining at Fratton Park, just two minutes after Portsmouth's Sulley Muntari had received a second yellow card, leaving United with a numerical advantage.
Ronaldo's dismissal came after he headbutted Portsmouth midfielder Richard Hughes, who later became Liverpool's sporting director. Ferguson did not appeal the red card and instead criticised Ronaldo's actions. "He has got to realise he is better than these other players and not to rise to their bait. He has got to rise above it," Ferguson said.
Hughes later reflected on the incident, saying, "It was a trivial moment. One of the highlights of my career, but an insignificant encounter for Cristiano Ronaldo." He added that Ferguson's comment about Ronaldo not getting involved with "inferior players" did not offend him, as "99 per cent of the footballing world is inferior to Cristiano Ronaldo."
Ronaldo's red card against Portsmouth was one of four dismissals during his first spell at Manchester United. His first career red card came in the 2003/04 season against Aston Villa, and he was also sent off in a Manchester derby in 2008 for a stamp on Andy Cole.
In total, Ronaldo has been sent off 12 times in his club career, including six for Real Madrid, one for Juventus, and one for Al-Nassr. His first red card for Portugal came in a World Cup qualifier against Ireland in 2024, at the age of 40. Portugal coach Roberto Martinez defended Ronaldo, saying, "There's no violence; Cristiano tries to clear the ball. He was unlucky."
