Cristiano Ronaldo is not used to losing, so his reactions to defeat usually give a lot to talk about and this time has been no exception. After Al Nassr’s defeat to Al Hilal, the Portuguese star was at the center of controversy for a gesture caught on camera that quickly went viral.
A classic full of tension in Saudi Arabia
The clash between Al Nassr and Al Hilal was one of the most anticipated matches of the season in the Saudi Pro League. For Cristiano Ronaldo’s team, the duel represented a key opportunity to get closer to the lead. However, their mistakes in the defensive sector, specifically inside the box, gifting a couple of penalties to Al Hilal, coupled with the expulsion of goalkeeper Nawaf Alaqidi in the 60th minute, ended up giving victory to the Blues.
Although Al-Nassr took the lead at the end of the first half with a goal from Cristiano Ronaldo, the final score was 3-1 and was accompanied by an atmosphere full of controversy. The match was marked by controversial refereeing decisions. Al Nassr complained about two penalties awarded against them and the sending off of their goalkeeper, actions which, from the club’s perspective, directly influenced the course of the match and facilitated Al Hilal’s comeback.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s gesture that ignited the scandal
Beyond the 3-1 scoreline, what really caught the eye was Cristiano Ronaldo‘s reaction after the match. With an ironic smile on his face, the Portuguese made a gesture with his hands from the bench that many interpreted as an insinuation of refereeing manipulation.
The images soon circulated on social media, where the gesture was analyzed frame by frame and while some fans backed CR7, arguing that it was a reaction due to frustration and controversial decisions by the referee, others also criticized his attitude as inappropriate, as well as pointing out the fact that this could bring disciplinary consequences.
It should be noted that the striker had already shown his dissatisfaction during the match, after having a conversation with the fourth official. His body language and gestures showed his anger at the performance of the referee, which ended up exploding after the final whistle.
How is Al-Nassr doing?
After the victory, Al Hilal consolidated its position as the leader of the tournament with 38 points, extending its lead over Al Nassr, which remained on 31 points. In addition, Cristiano Ronaldo’s team is going through a difficult time, with only one win, one draw and three defeats in its last five matches.
The Saudi Pro League championship continues to elude the Portuguese star and it is clear that the desperation to succeed at Al-Nassr as he has done at every other team he has been with before is beginning to take its toll.
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