Cristiano Ronaldo has stirred controversy by being captured on camera rubbing an Al-Hilal scarf against his crotch before tossing it back towards the crowd. The Portuguese superstar, who initially appeared cheerful, turned frustrated after witnessing Al-Nassr’s 2-0 defeat to Saudi Pro League rivals in the Riyadh Cup.
The mood shifted drastically for Ronaldo, who had earlier shared smiles with WWE superstar The Undertaker during a surprise appearance alongside the trophy. However, as the match progressed, Ronaldo faced taunts from spectators, notably chants comparing him to Lionel Messi, which he couldn’t resist acknowledging. His frustration was evident as he left the field at the final whistle.
Following the match, Ronaldo was seen responding to the gestures of fans, notably picking up an Al-Hilal scarf thrown towards him and rubbing it against his crotch before discarding it. His actions received widespread condemnation on social media, with many accusing the 39-year-old of lacking decorum.
Despite this incident, Ronaldo returned to action against Al-Hilal after recovering from an injury that had sidelined him from a previous clash against Lionel Messi’s team, Inter Miami, in the Riyadh Cup. Al-Nassr’s upcoming fixture will see them facing Al-Feiha in the first leg of an AFC Champions League last-16 encounter on February 14.