Tag Archives: Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo endures Lionel Messi chants again as Al-Nassr succumb to Al-Ain

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Cristiano Ronaldo was once again taunted with Lionel Messi chants during Al-Nassr’s 1-0 defeat to Al-Ain on Monday night.

Just last week, the Portugal forward was reportedly summoned by Saudi Pro League chiefs to explain a gesture he made towards supporters who were chanting Messi’s name towards him.

It seems that supporters will not rest when it comes to teasing the five-time Ballon d’Or winner, as they took aim at him once again during their AFC Champions League quarterfinal clash.

At half-time of their match, Ronaldo was walking off the pitch when the crowd could be heard chanting ‘Messi, Messi’ – an undeniable attack at the Al-Nassr star.

In a video that appeared on X, formerly known as Twitter, Ronaldo looked visibly frustrated as he shook his head and made his way down the tunnel.

Despite playing the full 90 minutes of the match, the former Real Madrid and Man United star was on the losing side after Soufiane Rahimi’s first-half strike.

The incident at Al-Ain is just another example of fans in Saudi Arabia taunting the forward with chants about his great rival – which also occurred last week.

the 39-year-old’s Al-Nassr took on Al-Shabab, who have a squad that includes the likes of former Atletico Madrid midfielder Yannick Carrasco and ex-Barcelona star Ivan Rakitic.

With three points secured by the 3-2 win, Ronaldo congratulated his teammates at the full-time whistle.

However, the Portugal international appeared to be irked by fans in the crowd chanting the name of his former El Classico rival Lionel Messi.

In response, Ronaldo put his hand to his ear before making a gesture towards his crotch with the signal seemingly aimed at the supporters in attendance.

The forward was suspended for one match by Saudi soccer chiefs after the incident.

Cristiano Ronaldo banned

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Saudi Pro League poster boy Cristiano Ronaldo has been slapped with a ban and fined for making an alleged offensive gesture.

The Manchester United and Real Madrid legend performed the rude gesture during the clash between Al-Nassr and Al-Shabab.

The 39-year-old helped his side to beat their Riyadh rivals 3-2 on Sunday in the Saudi Pro League game.

However, video footage appeared to show Ronaldo cupping his ear and repeatedly thrusting his hand forward near his pelvis as he seemed to be gesturing in response to Al-Shabab fans.

There were also background chants of “Messi” heard – referencing the Portuguese icon’s long-running rivalry with Argentina Lionel Messi.

Now The Disciplinary and Ethics Committee of the Saudi Arabia Football Federation (SAFF) committee have announced that the goalmachine with be hit with a ban for his actions.

In a statement released this morning, Saudi chiefs confirmed Ronaldo will miss Al-Nassr’s next match at home to Al-Hazm on Thursday and he must also pay a fine of £4,190.

That will go to Al-Shabab in order to cover the costs of the club filing the complaint, and half of that amount will also go to the federation.

The committee also declared that the decision was not open to appeal.

The incident was not actually captured by the television cameras as Al-Shabab supporters his great rival’s name.

But Ronaldo responded to them after opening the scoring in the 21st minute from the penalty spot by racing over to the corner flag to perform his trademark celebration.

Then, later in the rollercoaster contest, the animated ace was caught by a fan on camera frantically waving his arms towards home supporters.

He cupped his ear at one point in triumph before repeatedly thrusting his hand near his pelvis, which is the gesture that has landed him in hot water.

Reports in local Saudi media claim that Ronaldo informed the committee that the gesture was one of victory and common in Europe.

It is not the first time that he has hit the headlines since joining Al-Nassr in January 2023 following his explosive exit for Man United.

Nack in April, as he left the pitch following a match with Al-Hilal, Ronaldo appeared to grab his genitals as fans chanted Messi’s name.

He claimed on that occasion that he had sustained a groin injury in the match.

(Watch Video) Cristiano Ronaldo makes gesture as WWE legend The Undertaker appears at Riyadh Season Cup final

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Cristiano Ronaldo and Al-Nassr were left stunned when WWE icon The Undertaker appearanced before their Riyadh Season Cup final.

WWE legend The Undertaker made a surprise appearance at the Riyadh Season Cup final in Saudi Arabia, leaving football star Cristiano Ronaldo and his Al-Nassr teammates stunned.

Ronaldo and Al-Nassr were beaten 2-0 by Saudi Pro League title rivals Al-Hilal at Kingdom Arena, but Ronaldo was all smiles before the match thanks to the wrestling icon’s unexpected cameo.

The Undertaker emerged from the tunnel to his theme music, wearing his iconic black coat and hat, as he made his way to the centre circle. Flanked by men wearing hooded black coats with fire torches, “The Deadman”, whose real name is Mark Calaway, stood in front of a plinth and lifted the Riyadh Season Cup trophy aloft.

Al-Nassr and Al-Hilal defeated Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami 6-0 and 4-3 respectively to book their place in the exhibition game. As The Undertaker raised the trophy in his signature ominous style, former Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus superstar Ronaldo could not hold back the laughter as he was left bemused by the scene in front of him.

The camera caught Ronaldo chuckling with his teammates as they stood lined up next to the officials before the game started. The Undertaker retired from professional wrestling in 2020 after a stellar career, playing a part in many of WWE’s most famous matches and events. He still shows up on WWE shows occasionally, but his days competing in the squared circle are over.

Photo Credit: X

Manchester United Player Ratings vs Arsenal: Cristiano Ronaldo, Dalot, others impressive

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Manchester United overcame Arsenal in the Premier League clash on Thursday at Old Trafford, beating their rivals 3-2.

Manchester Evening News rates the Red Devils’ peformances:

David de Gea

Prone for the goal when he then sprinted at Martin Atkinson to protest the goal. Good save at 1-1 was vital. 6

Diogo Dalot

Acquitted himself well and his positioning was key to United generating momentum. Always offered United an attacking outlet and key pass for Cristiano Ronaldo’s goal. 8

Victor Lindelof

Often looked uncomfortable at set-pieces and against United’s fluency but there was an occasional key header and defending improves as game progressed. 7

Harry Maguire

Stepped up literally at times to supplement the attack and his passing between the lines was impressive at times. Defended stoutly. 7

Alex Telles

Blemished an otherwise positive performance by being dragged too far inside, leaving Gabriel Martinelli free to find Emile Smith Rowe. 6

Scott McTominay

Put himself about and that aggression gave an exasperated crowd encouragement. More withdrawn in the second-half to shield the back four. 7

Fred

Erred time and again, be it a stray pass or a foul – on an opponent and De Gea. Recovered to tee up Bruno Fernandes. Off the pace when Martin Odegaard struck. Then won a penalty. 7

Jadon Sancho

Sancho was never short of endeavour all night and his surge into the area led to the equaliser and sparked United’s recovery. 6

Bruno Fernandes

Erratic and sloppy but kept going and coolly levelled just before half-time to herald the momentum swing. 6

Marcus Rashford

Rarely looked happy on the right but showed good vision to pick out Ronaldo for United’s second goal when Fernandes was freer. Came off first. 6

Cristiano Ronaldo

Had an appalling first-half and was immediately more threatening in the second when Aaron Ramsdale denied him. Then Ronaldo beat him. And then beat him again. 8

Subs

Jesse Lingard

Offered energy. 5

Anthony Martial

Bought a key foul. 6

Donny van de Beek

Late cameo. N/A

Manager

The formation was questionable in principle but once United rumbled Arsenal’s playing-out-from-the-back approach they had joy and deservedly won. 7

Photo Credit: ManUtd/Twitter

(Watch Video) Cristiano Ronaldo scores again as veteran drags Man United level! 35’… West Ham 1-1 Man United

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Cristiano Ronaldo has scored AGAIN to bring the Red Devils level after Raphael Varane deflected Said Benrahma’s shot into the net.

Four goals in three games for the 36-year-old as he pounced on a cross.

Lukasz Fabianski saved the volley but Ronaldo smashed in the rebound.

Undeterred by his previous miss, the striker was alert to a cross slipped into the box by Bruno Fernandes, and although his first effort was blocked by Fabianski, Ronaldo followed up to convert from close range.

There’s an anxious wait while VAR check for an offside against the goalscorer, but replays showed that Aaron Cresswell’s foot had played the striker on.

Photo Credit: ManUtd/Twitter

Cristiano Ronaldo nets hat-trick, gives assist as Juventus put Cagliari to the sword (Match Report)

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Cristiano Ronaldo ably marshalled Juventus’ demolition of Cagliari, scoring a hat-trick despite the visitors’ early resistance.

The Sardinians had not beaten Juve in the league since November 2009, followed by three draws from 17 encounters.

It took a very long time for this game to get going, as Ramsey and Dybala failed to keep their shots on target, while Cristiano Ronaldo was offside when his header forced a great save from Olsen.

Defender Merih Demiral was picked for the fifth game in a row rather than Matthijs de Ligt and showed why, as his header from a Miralem Pjanic corner clipped the crossbar.

Radja Nainggolan had the only real Cagliari chance to make an impact in the first half when sent clear by Giovanni Simeone on the counter, but he slipped at the crucial moment.

Juve did finally break through after the restart thanks to some shocking defending from the Sardinians. They were passing it slowly and sluggishly on the edge of their own penalty area, so Ronaldo pounced and went around Olsen to turn into an empty net. For the first time in his career, CR7 scored in five consecutive Serie A appearances.

It was nearly 2-0 moments later, as Olsen showed cat-like reflexes for a triple save on Paulo Dybala from close range, as the ball ricocheted around in the six-yard box.

Cagliari did threaten, as Wojciech Szczesny had to fingertip a Giovanni Simeone header on to the top of the bar from close range.

However, Marko Rog tripped Dybala in the penalty area and Ronaldo kept his cool to convert the spot-kick past Olsen, giving Juve more of a cushion.

Cagliari crumbled at the end, as Ronaldo decided to turn assist man with a pass down the left channel to send substitute Higuain forward, there was no real support, so Pipita cut back inside and blasted into the far bottom corner.

Less than a minute later, Douglas Costa made an impact with his sprint through the centre, slide-rule pass for Ronaldo’s angled drive, completing a hat-trick.

Douglas Costa ran almost from one end to the other, going down under pressure with no response to his penalty appeals.

Cagliari could’ve had a consolation goal late on, but Joao Pedro turned his marker to hit the top of the post.

Photo Credit: Twitter @juventusfc

Romelu Lukaku reveals warning Cristiano Ronaldo gave him before signing for Inter Milan, compares Premier League, Serie A

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Romelu Lukaku has revealed the warning Juventus talisman Cristiano Ronaldo gave him about Serie A, stating how tough the league is.

The Inter Milan striker gave an interview to the New York Times on Monday, in which he gave his opinion on playing in Serie A compared to the Premier League.

Lukaku scored 14 goals in 22 games for Inter in the first half of the season, 12 of which came in Serie A.

However, he told the newspaper: “He [Ronaldo] told me this is the hardest defensive League in the world.

“He said he has scored goals everywhere, but this was the toughest place to do it, and if Cristiano Ronaldo think it’s difficult, then it must be really difficult.”

That echoes the claims of former Serie A hitmen Carlos Tevez and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who have relayed similar sentiments in recent years, report Football Italia.

Ronaldo’s scoring rate has also dropped in Italy, with last season his lowest in terms of goals (28) since the 2008-09 campaign.

“It’s harder than England. The football is more intense there, but here everything is pattern of play.”

Off the field, the 26-year-old has an extraordinary ability to assimilate to a language quickly, becoming a proficient Italian speaker in only a matter of weeks.

“Nobody speaks to me in English anymore.”