Cristiano Ronaldo confronted a flurry of criticism immediately after appearing to make an obscene gesture following the finish of Al-Nassr’s 3-2 acquire more than Al-Shabab in the Saudi Pro League on Sunday.
The Portugal ahead opened the scoring with a 21st-minute penalty but Al-Nassr necessary a late target from Talisca, who struck two times, to settle the activity with 4 minutes remaining. Just after the closing whistle, social media movies captured Ronaldo cupping his ear ahead of regularly pumping his hand ahead in front of his pelvic spot. The motion appeared to be directed at Al-Shabab supporters.
In the qualifications, chants of “Messi” could be listened to, referencing Ronaldo’s prolonged-term soccer rival. The incident was not caught on television, but some Saudi pundits explained Ronaldo must be sanctioned. There has been no formal response but Saudi newspaper Asharq al-Awsat said the national soccer federation (SAFF) had opened an investigation into the incident.
“The disciplinary committee is experiencing the biggest take a look at. We will wait and see,” Waleed Al Farraj, a distinguished Saudi author and television host, stated on X. “Everything has its limitations, no make any difference how renowned you are. This is how the major leagues are.”
Al-Nassr ended up not immediately obtainable to remark.
The 39-yr-outdated Ronaldo has confronted equivalent criticism in the past. In April very last yr, he appeared to seize his genitals whilst on his way to the dugout following the stop of a 2- league defeat against Al-Hilal.
Earlier this month, he picked up an Al-Hilal scarf thrown at him from the stands, put it in his shorts and then threw it away as he walked towards the tunnel just after Al-Nassr misplaced 2- in the Riyadh Year Cup closing.
Ronaldo, who joined Al-Nassr as a no cost agent in late 2022, tops the league scoring charts with 22 aims in 20 appearances so significantly this season. Al-Nassr are second in the table with 52 points, 4 guiding Al Hilal, who have a game in hand.