Cristiano Ronaldo is facing an investigation after he appeared to make an obscene gesture toward jeering fans during Al-Nassr’s win over Al-Shabab in the Saudi Pro League at Al-Shabab Club Stadium on Sunday.
As Ronaldo celebrated Al-Nassr’s 3—2 road win, some fans started up a “Messi” chant in a nod to Ronaldo’s longtime rival. The Portuguese star smiled and put his hand up to his ear, then pumped his hand near his groin area while facing the stands, a gesture that seemingly was directed at the heckling Al-Shabab fans.
Al-Nassr has yet to comment on the gesture, but Saudi newspaper Asharq al-Awsat reported that the national football federation is investigating Ronaldo’s actions.
🚨🚨| Cristiano Ronaldo is set to be INVESTIGATED for a gesture he made towards fans chanting for Lionel Messi.
— CentreGoals. (@centregoals) February 26, 2024
[@MailSport] pic.twitter.com/2ZJd97Y6jr
It’s not the first time that Ronaldo, who scored his Saudi league-leading 22nd goal Sunday, has responded to heckling fans, as he drew criticism for two separate incidents involving Al-Hilal fans earlier this month and in April 2023.
Ronaldo joined Al-Nassr in 2022, signing a lucrative contract, which equates to roughly $200 million per year.
