Cristiano Ronaldo has reportedly been sent home from Portugal's national team camp after receiving his first-ever international red card.

The five-time Ballon d'Or winner was given his marching orders for a frustrated elbow on Dara O'Shea after an hour of his side's shock 2-0 defeat against Ireland on Thursday.

Straight red cards in international football typically carry a two-match ban, meaning Ronaldo could miss the first game of his what is sure to be his last-ever World Cup.

However, Roberto Martinez's men have still not secured their qualification to next summer's tournament - and will need a win against Armenia on Sunday to get through.

But according to Portugese outlet A Bola, Ronaldo won't be hanging around to cheer his teammates on for the crunch tie at the Estádio do Dragão because he has been 'released from the national team'.

The Portugal captain is now expected to return to Saudi Arabia, where he will hope for a better performance from his club side Al-Nassr when they face Al-Khaleej on November 23.