Portuguese Player’s Controversial Actions Caught on Camera Amidst Crowd Taunts invoking Lionel Messi
On Thursday, Saudi Arabia’s football governing body took action against Cristiano Ronaldo, suspending him for one game due to a gesture he made during last weekend’s match, deemed a “provocation.” The Saudi Arabian Football Federation announced that the Al Nassr captain and former Porto star faced a fine of 30,000 riyals ($8,000) for breaching regulations against inciting the public during a game. This decision is final and not subject to appeal.
Video footage emerged following Al Nassr’s 3-2 victory against Al-Shabab, capturing Ronaldo repeatedly making a thrusting gesture towards his groin in response to chants from the crowd invoking the name of his longstanding rival, Lionel Messi. The video swiftly went viral, dominating discussions on Saudi social media platforms.
According to reports from sports newspaper Al Riyadiya, Ronaldo defended his actions by stating that he held respect for all football clubs. He clarified that the gesture was intended to convey “strength and victory” rather than offense, asserting that such actions were deemed acceptable in Europe.
At 39 years old and a five-time UEFA Champions League winner, Ronaldo made headlines when he became the first major star to join a Saudi Arabian club, signing with Al-Nassr in January 2023. This move reflects the Saudi Pro League’s efforts to attract top-tier talent through substantial financial incentives. Moreover, with Saudi Arabia slated to host the 2034 World Cup, the country is actively positioning itself as a significant player in the global sports arena. Notable names like France’s Karim Benzema, Brazil’s Neymar, and Senegal’s Sadio Mane have also opted for lucrative contracts in the kingdom, departing from their European clubs.
