FOOTBALL
Cristiano Ronaldo pays price for provoking Lionel Messi fans in Saudi pro League final
Cristiano Ronaldo has been punished for his provoking gestures over the fans in the Saudi Pro League 2024. After the game between Al Nassr and Al Shabab, where Ronaldo’s side lost an opportunity to win the title, the fans got overboard and started chanting Lionel Messi’s name. It did not go well with the Al Nassr player who gave back to the fans.
An irritated Ronaldo signalled the fans that he was in the arena, and not Lionel Messi. In the process, Cristiano asked the fans to support him, and not the Argentine. After the gesture of Ronaldo, the fans started booing him. Further in social media, the fans asked the officials to take action against the star player. It looks like the officials have responded to the demand of the fans.
Watch the video here:
Here's another celebration Cristiano Ronaldo did against Al Shabab last night. 😂 pic.twitter.com/mShTJOv7CJ
— CR7's PR manager (@RONALDOthabeast) February 26, 2024
The 39-year-old has been handed a fine of 30,000 Saudi Riyals (£6,300). Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) confirmed the same in a press release following the incident. The SAFF disciplinary and ethics committee claimed that the Portugal player does not have the option of appealing against the decision. In addition to it, he has also been handed a 1-match ban in the upcoming game.
Second instance of Cristiano Ronaldo giving back to Lionel Messi fans
A similar incident had happened during the game between Al Nassr and Al Hilal. In the final of the Riyadh Season Cup final 2024, Ronaldo and his side lost the game. After the final, the fans of Messi started chanting his name. Ronaldo was angry back then and provoked the fans with a similar gesture. Back then, Cristiano was warned by the officials. The match saw The Undertaker handing over the award to the winning team.
The WWE Superstar came to the stadium with an iconic entrance and blew away the fans with his presence. Even Ronaldo was impressed with the entrance of the WWE Hall of Famer. Al Nassr, however, could not win the final and ended up being the runner-up. The focus of Ronaldo and Al Nassr is to win the ongoing Saudi Pro League 2024.