Cristiano Ronaldo was so enraged with the referee that he demanded to be replaced. Earlier, Al-Nassr faced Al-Ettifaq in the King Cup of Champions Round of 16 at the KSU Stadium. In the game, Ronaldo had to deal with a plethora of problems. First was him being angry with the match referee. He also was targeted with Lionel Messi chants from the Al-Ettifaq, which clearly got to him.
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Referee needs to be subbed off, says Cristiano Ronaldo
The two Saudi Pro League teams clashed in a thrilling match that saw temperatures rise during stoppage time in the first half. Talisca of Al-Nassr scored, but the goal was ruled out due to a VAR review that determined Cristiano Ronaldo was offside and interfered with play.
That decision enraged the five-time Ballon d’Or winner. It reached the point where Cristiano Ronaldo asked the match official be replaced. Ronaldo motioned for a substitution while pointing at the referee.
Fans were left baffled with Cristiano Ronaldo’s gesture. One supporter tweeted, ‘He owns the league.’ Another posted, ‘His league.’ A third wrote, ‘This is unbelievable.’ This fan said, ‘My goat is always right.’
This game went to extra-time after the first 90 minutes were goalless. Talisca was sent off just moments after his goal was disallowed, as he caught an opponent with his left arm. Al-Ettifaq manager Steven Gerrard also lost one of his own players as Ali Hazazi was shown a red card in the 89th minute.
In the end though, Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr emerged victorious as Sadio Mane’s winner 3 minutes before the end of extra time.
Ronaldo reacts to Lionel Messi’s 8th Ballon d’Or
Fans have blasted Cristiano Ronaldo after his social media post following Lionel Messi’s Ballon d’Or triumph last night. Messi won a record eighth Ballon d’Or Friday evening in Paris. While Ronaldo was not nominated for the first time in 20 years.
Over the years, the pair have had a long-standing rivalry as they competed for the title of best player in the world. Messi’s eighth Ballon d’Or victory now puts him three trophies ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo’s five, and many believe the discussion is over.
Some supporters believe the Portuguese superstar is hurting himself by falling further behind his competitor. Tomás Roncero, a Spanish journalist, posted a video after the ceremony in Paris.
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Tomas said, ‘Lionel Messi went to retire in Miami, even though he already looked like he was retired at PSG preparing for the World Cup. He won the World Cup, yes, good, but with six penalties… The World Cup was ten months ago, it’s November. Messi has eight Ballon d’Ors, he should have had five. He has [Andres] Iniesta/Xavi’s Ballon d’Or, [Robert] Lewandowski’s who won six trophies in one season and [Erling] Haaland’s who was the top scorer.’
Cristiano Ronaldo then commented on the scathing video on Instagram leaving four laughing emoji’s underneath the post. It is not yet known what CR7 was intending to do and what he meant. But it seems clear that he is salty about Messi winning his 8th Ballon d’Or.
Taking to social media one fan wrote, ‘Actually can’t believe how embarrassing this behaviour is, how has he not just accepted the debate is done.’ While another added, ‘How shameless can this guy be?’ A third posted, ‘Ronaldo is so childish.’
