Ronaldo avoided the potential of missing next year's FIFA World Cup due to suspension when FIFA instead levied a one-year probationary period for the Portugal star on Tuesday.

Ronaldo, 40, was issued a red card during Portugal's 2-0 loss to the Republic of Ireland on Nov. 13. FIFA handed him a three-match ban on Tuesday for elbowing Ireland defender Dara O'Shea, with the final two games suspended for "a one-year probation period."

That means Ronaldo will be eligible for Portugal's opening two World Cup matches next year.

The incident against Ireland originally earned Ronaldo a yellow card. However, after the contact was reviewed by the referee on video, Ronaldo was sent off with the first red card of his international career.

The FIFA Disciplinary Committee deemed the incident worthy o

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