Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo is reportedly desperate to leave Al Nassr, despite signing for the Saudi side just 5 months back. Credits: Twitter

Al-Nassr have clarified Cristiano Ronaldo’s apparent obscene gesture, which prompted calls for his expulsion from Saudi Arabia. During an ill-tempered Saudi Pro League game, Cristiano Ronaldo appeared to make a controversial gesture towards the home fans.

Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr were defeated 2-0 at Al-Hilal on Thursday night, leaving them three points behind leaders Al-Ittihad in the title race despite having played one more game. The 38-year-old has had another difficult evening in Saudi Arabia, as his drifting away from form continues.

Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo had another night to forget as his Al Nassr fell to a 2-0 against Al-Hilal, blowing a huge dent to their title hopes. Credits: Twitter

Al Nassr explain ‘sensitive injury’ which forced Cristiano Ronaldo’s gesture

Throughout the match, Cristiano Ronaldo was blasted with chants of his all-time rival Lionel Messi’s name from Al-Hilal supporters. This comes after Messi, 35, is linked with a move to Al-Hilal when his contract with Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain expires this summer.

As Ronaldo exited the King Fahd International Stadium, he was met with boos and cries of “Messi” from the home crowd. The Portugal international then grabbed his crotch, making a vulgar gesture towards the fans. At this point, it’s unclear whether Ronaldo’s behaviour was deliberate.

However, the obscene gesture appears to have sparked significant outrage across the country, not least since it occurred during the holy month of Ramadam, and a push has formed online to remove Ronaldo under the banner “Expelling the fan’s abuser.”

Al-Nassr has attempted to downplay the significance of Ronaldo’s gesture, attributing it instead to a “sensitive” groyne injury. The incident was clarified by the club’s board to journalist Muhammed Al-Enezi, who stated in a statement on Wednesday:

“Ronaldo suffers from an injury. His challenge with Gustavo Cuellar, the Al-Hilal player, started with a blow in a very sensitive area. This is confirmed information. As for the fans’ explanations, they are free to think whatever they want.”

Cristiano Ronaldo had a night to forget after being issued a yellow card by English referee Michael Oliver and having a goal  disallowed. The former Real Madrid player’s challenge, which got him a booking, had a wrestling vibe to it, with his primary motivation appearing to be to halt play. Gustavo Cuéllar attempted to shield the ball as it bounced, only for Ronaldo to grab him around the neck from behind and drop him to the ground.

The incident on Tuesday was not the first time Ronaldo reacted angrily to chants from opposition supporters concerning his constant Argentine rival. However, it is likely that he is frustrated with yet another three points dropped for Al-Nassr, who have recently lost their grip on the Saudi Pro League title battle and are now three points behind leaders Al-Ittihad, who have a game in hand.

The ex Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus forward’s record in Saudi Arabia is excellent, with 11 goals and two assists in just 11 league games, but he may face criticism if Al-Nassr fails to win the championship. However, that won’t be new to Ronaldo, since during his second stint at Old Trafford, he was accused of making United worse.