Cristiano Ronaldo has been given a World Cup reprieve. Portugal superstar Ronaldo has been cleared to play in the tournament opener next summer despite getting a red card in the last round of qualifiers.

FIFA have confirmed they issued a three match ban to Ronaldo after his sending off for an elbow against Republic of Ireland on November 13. That left Ronaldo in serious danger of missing a major chunk of the World Cup which the 40-year-old has already confirmed will be his last.

However, Ronaldo served the first of the three games against Armenia which Portugal played on November 16.

The next two will be suspended and it is understood that FIFA took into account the ex-Manchester United star - now at Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League - his previous good behaviour and the fact it was his

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