Cristiano Ronaldo faced a barrage of criticism after appearing to make an obscene gesture after Al Nasr’s 3-2 win over Al Shabab in the Saudi Pro League on Sunday.
The Portuguese forward took the lead with a penalty in the 21st minute, but Al Nasr needed a goal from Talisca, who scored two second-half goals, to settle the match with four minutes remaining. After the final whistle, videos on social media showed Ronaldo cupping his ears and repeatedly bringing his hand forward in front of his pelvis. This action appears to be directed at al-Shabaab supporters.
In the background, chants of “Messi” could be heard, referring to Ronaldo’s long-time soccer rival. The incident was not reported on television, but some Saudi experts said Ronaldo should be sanctioned. There was no official response, but Saudi newspaper Asharq al-Awsat reported that the State Football Federation (SAFF) had opened an investigation into the incident.
“Disciplinary committees face their biggest test yet,” Waleed Al Faraj, a prominent Saudi author and TV presenter, said on the show X. “No matter how famous you are, There’s a limit to everything. This is the current state of Major League Baseball.”
Al-Nasr could not be reached for comment.
Ronaldo, 39, has faced similar criticism in the past. He is believed to have grabbed his genitals on his way to the dugout after a 2-0 league loss to Al Hilal in April last year.
Earlier this month, after Al Nasr lost 2-0 in the Riyadh Season Cup final, he picked up an Al Hilal scarf thrown from the stands, tucked it into his shorts and threw it away as he walked toward the tunnel. .
After newsletter promotion
Ronaldo, who joined Al Nasr as a free agent at the end of 2022, has scored 22 goals in 20 appearances so far this season, making him the top scorer in the league. Al Nasr are second in the table with 52 points, four behind Al Hilal, who have one game in hand.
