It's a Ronaldo-related precedent that may have come through for the USMNT. The context is this: Ronaldo earned a red card in Portugal's second-to-last competitive match before the World Cup. With it, FIFA decided Ronaldo had earned himself a three-match suspension.

Folarin Balogun wasn’t the only player who benefitted from a red-card suspension being reversed in favor of a probationary period. Cristiano Ronaldo, the Portugal star, avoided missing the first two games of the World Cup following a red card in November that led to a three-match ban — instead only missing his country’s final qualifying match and returning for their opener.

FIFA’s handling of this divisive topic is arguably even worse than the leniency shown towards Cristiano Ronaldo.

Portuguese icon Cristiano Ronaldo has this weekend provided his take on the talents of Spain and Barcelona star Lamine Yamal.This of course comes ahead of the highly-anticipated upcoming showdown

Roberto Martinez has given his reasons for substituting Cristiano Ronaldo as Portugal's World Cup round of 32 clash with Croatia in Toronto went down to the wire

One is miles clear of the other.

For over 20 years, Cristiano Ronaldo has been one of the defining figures of world football. Now, the end is officially in sight. In comments confirmed Saturday, Ronaldo announced that the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be the final World Cup appearance of his legendary career.