Investigations against Cristiano Ronaldo are planned after it seemed like he made an inappropriate gesture in reaction to Lionel Messi shouts during a Saudi Pro League match.
The Portugal international gave Al Nassr the lead in their 3-2 triumph over Al Shadab on Sunday. Anderson Talisca’s brace in the second half sealed the three points for Al Nassr.
Videos on social media showed the former Real Madrid, Manchester United, and Juventus forward’s response to the supporters’ yelling of “Messi,” a longtime Ballon d’Or adversary for Ronaldo throughout his career in European football, during full time.
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The 39-year-old was observed pumping his hand repeatedly in front of his pelvic region after cupping it in the direction of Al Shadab supporters.
According to the Saudi newspaper Asharq al-Awsat, the national football association (SAFF) of the kingdom has launched an investigation. Despite Ronaldo’s prominence among Saudi Pro League recruits in recent years, several pundits in the region think he should be punished.
Ronaldo had already been in hot water for a previous indecent physical display.
When Al Nassr fell 2-0 to Al Hilal in the Riyadh Season Cup final in April, he shoved a scarf from the same team down his shorts and threw it away. He also seemed to grip his genitals on his approach to the dugout.
Despite having scored 22 goals this season in the Saudi Pro League, Ronaldo’s Al Nassr team is currently seven points behind Al Hilal at the top of the standings.
When his team plays Al Hazem on Thursday, the four-time Ballon d’Or winner will be hoping for another goal or two. Al Hazem is currently bottom of Saudi Arabia’s premier division with just 14 points from 21 games.
