Cristiano Ronaldo criticised for obscene gesture during Saudi Pro League match

Al Nassr captain reacts to chants of 'Messi' from Al Shabab fans and faces potential disciplinary action

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - FEBRUARY 25: Cristiano Ronaldo of Al Nassr celebrates after scoring the 1st goal during the Saudi Pro League match between Al-Shabab and Al-Nassr at Al-Shabab Club Stadium on February 25, 2024 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Yasser Bakhsh / Getty Images)

Cristiano Ronaldo faces potential disciplinary action from Saudi Arabia Football Federation over an obscene gesture he made towards Al Shabab fans at the Al Shabab Club Stadium. Getty

Al Nassr captain Cristiano Ronaldo was again the subject of taunts from opposition fans during a Saudi Pro League match. Reuters

Cristiano Ronaldo scored from the penalty spot in a 3-2 win over Al Shabab. The Portuguese took his league tally to 22 goals in 20 games. AFP

Al Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo in action against Al Shabab. AFP

Cristiano Ronaldo of Al Nassr celebrates after scoring the opening goal. Getty

Cristiano Ronaldo of Al Nassr appeals for a foul against Al Shabab. Getty

Cristiano Ronaldo of Al Nassr battles for the ball during the Saudi Pro League match against Al Shabab. Getty

Cristiano Ronaldo of Al Nassr in action. AFP

Al Nassr's Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo is marked by Shabab's Saudi defender Moteb Al Harbi. AFP

Cristiano Ronaldo has faced heavy criticism again in Saudi Arabia after the Al Nassr captain appeared to make an offensive gesture following his side’s Saudi Pro League victory against Al Shabab on Sunday.

The Portugal star, who had earlier opened the scoring in a thrilling game that finished 3-2 for his team, seemingly reacted to chants of “Messi” from the home crowd at full-time by cupping his ear before repeatedly thrusting his hand towards his pelvic area.

The incident was not picked up by television cameras, but was soon captured by those in attendance and posted on social media.

Saudi newspaper Asharq al-Awsat reported that the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) had opened an investigation into the incident, although there has been no official word from the organisation, or the Saudi Pro League.

Waleed Al Farraj, a prominent Saudi writer and television host, said on X: "The disciplinary committee is facing the biggest test. We will wait and see.

"Everything has its limits, no matter how famous you are. This is how the major leagues are."

Ronaldo, 39, has been the subject of similar criticism before in Saudi Arabia. Last April, he was accused of making an obscene gesture towards Al Hilal supporters after Nassr had been beaten 2-0 in a title showdown at their city rivals. Hilal went on to win the league, while Nassr finished second.

Then, following another 2-0 defeat to Hilal earlier this month, this time in the Riyadh Season Cup final, Ronaldo reacted to having a Hilal scarf thrown at him by putting it inside his shorts and hurling it back at the stands.

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner, who joined Nassr in December 2022, tops the Saudi league scoring charts with 22 goals in 20 matches. He also leads the division in assists, alongside Al Ettifaq’s Alvaro Medran, with nine.

Nassr, meanwhile, sit second in the table with 52 points, four behind Hilal, although the champions have a game in hand.