Cristiano Ronaldo, the renowned Portuguese footballer, found himself at the center of controversy recently when he was seen shoving an Al Hilal scarf down his shorts before tossing it back at the crowd. This incident occurred following his team Al Nassr’s 2-0 loss to their rival club.
The incident was captured in a video that quickly went viral on social media. Fans were throwing merchandise at Ronaldo as he made his way down the tunnel after the match, and it seems that the gesture was his response to the provocation. While it is unclear what exactly led to Ronaldo’s actions, it is evident that losing to a rival club must have rubbed him the wrong way.
Throughout the game, Al Hilal supporters chanted Lionel Messi’s name every time Ronaldo touched the ball. This added insult to injury for the five-time Ballon d’Or winner, who is used to being adored by fans worldwide. However, Ronaldo has not publicly commented on the incident as of now.
Ronaldo, who turned 39 this week, has been in exceptional form in the Saudi Pro League, leading the league in goals with 20. After leaving Manchester United in December 2022, he joined Al Nassr and is currently signed with the club until 2025, earning a staggering $75 million per year.
The match against Al Hilal was Ronaldo’s first since December 30, as he had been sidelined with a calf injury. His absence had forced the team to postpone its preseason tour in China. Ronaldo had also issued an apology to fans for missing those games. However, he returned to action in the exhibition Riyadh Season Cup, playing the full 90 minutes.
Despite Ronaldo’s return, Al Nassr was unable to secure a victory against Al Hilal, who are currently leading the Pro League standings. Al Nassr is currently in second place, seven points behind their rivals. The loss, combined with the provocative behavior from the Al Hilal fans, likely contributed to Ronaldo’s frustration and subsequent actions.
It remains to be seen how this incident will be addressed by the football community and whether any disciplinary action will be taken against Ronaldo. However, one thing is certain – this incident has once again thrust the football superstar into the spotlight, generating intense discussion and debate among fans and pundits alike.
