Earlier this month, Cristiano Ronaldo was crowned the World Footballer of the Year for the third time.

In truth, there are no more superlatives left to be written about a player that has scored 463 goals in 718 appearances for club and country.

Yet, for all the qualities that the 29-year-old possesses, the red mist can also descend, just as he showed at the weekend during Real Madrid's 2-1 win away at Cordoba. The forward received the ninth red card of his professional career and here, Sports Mole looks back on each of them.

On the final day of his first full campaign in England, Ronaldo picked up his maiden red card at Villa Park. Booked earlier for a dive, the teenager was handed a second yellow card five minutes from the end for time wasting.

A miserable afternoon for United at the Etihad Stadium was compounded when their Portuguese winger was given a straight red card. Frustrated at a challenge put on him by Stephen Jordan, Ronaldo took out his anger on former United striker Andy Cole. No contact was made, but such was the intent, Ronaldo walked.

Even Sir Alex Ferguson decided against arguing Ronaldo's case at Fratton Park. With the score level at 1-1 and the game in the closing stages, Ronaldo appeared to headbutt Pompey midfielder Richard Hughes as the two teams waited for a corner to be taken.

Another dismissal for Ronaldo at the Etihad Stadium, although this one was bizarre. His first caution was for a foul on Shaun Wright-Phillips, while he received a second for deliberate handball. Rather than head a corner goalwards, the United attacker inexplicably decided to put both of his hands in front of his face.

Now in the white of Madrid, Ronaldo's first red card in La Liga came five months after his arrival at the Bernabeu. Seemingly frustrated at having missed a penalty earlier in the contest, the £80m man was sent for an early bath as a result of two petulant bookings in the closing stages.

Just six weeks later, Ronaldo saw red again. He had scored his side's two goals, but took exception to his shirt being pulled by Patrick Mtiliga. A stray elbow caught the Malaga midfielder square on the nose, breaking the bone. Unsurprisingly, the referee brandished a straight red card.

It was a Copa del Rey final that started so well for Ronaldo as he opened the scoring. However, Atletico hit back and were on their way to lifting the trophy when Ronaldo was involved in altercation with Gabi. The Atletico midfielder certainly made the most of it, but nevertheless, Ronaldo was instantly dismissed.

In fairness to the talisman, he can count himself a little unlucky to have been sent off at the San Mames. He made minimal contact with Bilbao's Carlos Gurpegi, who hit the ground dramatically. Despite the protest of his teammates, Ronaldo was sent off for the fourth time in his Madrid career.

One report has suggested that Ronaldo could face up to a 12-game suspension for his actions at the Estadio Nuevo Arcangel on Saturday. Having been ever so lucky to escape punishment for a punch on Ivan Crespo, moments later Ronaldo kicked out at Edimar. The referee saw that particular offence and had no hesitation in brandishing a red card.