Watch: Cristiano Ronaldo says he hopes Ireland fans don’t boo him on Thursday night

The 40-year-old insists he expects a tough game from Ireland at the Aviva Stadium.

Wed, 12 Nov, 2025 - 19:30

John Fallon, Aviva Stadium

Cristiano Ronaldo says he hopes Ireland fans don’t boo him at Lansdowne Road on Thursday as he looks for the win that confirms his place at his final World Cup.

Victory for the table-toppers will confirm their passage with Sunday’s final game to spare but the 40-year-old insists he expects a tough game from an Ireland side who will likely need to avoid defeat if their own chances of a playoff remain heading into the concluding match in Hungary.

The Al Nassr attacker also denied that his presence intimates referees, following Heimir Hallgrímsson’s claim after last month’s late 1-0 defeat that the whistler showed the Portuguese too much respect.

Cristiano Ronaldo says he hopes Ireland fans don’t boo him at Lansdowne Road on Thursday as he looks for the win that confirms his place at his final World Cup @JFallonExaminer pic.twitter.com/GWDjKiE4l0
— Irish Examiner Sport (@ExaminerSport) November 12, 2025