Cristiano Ronaldo throws his toys out the pram for second time in a week in Al-Nassr game | Football | Sport
Cristiano Ronaldo smashed the ball away in anger and lost his cool with the referee during Al-Nassr’s latest Saudi Pro League clash. The Portuguese football icon fumed when the official blew for half-time as he advanced towards the halfway line on a dangerous counter-attack.
Ronaldo burst away with possession with his side hunting a third goal against Abha just before half-time. However, the referee clearly felt enough time had been played and called time on the opening period of the match.
Furious with the decision to halt the game, Ronaldo picked up the ball and thrashed it up into the air. Clearly an act of dissent, the match official immediately showed Ronaldo a yellow card.
But Ronaldo risked further punishment as he made his way off the pitch. He furiously dismissed whatever the referee said by throwing his arm in the air in the direction of the official.
The 38-year-old continued to complain as he made his way off the pitch. His Al-Nassr team-mates remonstrated with the referee but were told to head to the dressing room.
Al-Nassr led 2-0 at the time but Ronaldo had failed to get on the scoresheet. Instead, goals from Sami Al-Nejai and Adullah Al-Khaibari had put the Riyadh-based club into a strong lead. Mohammed Maran scored a third early in the second half.
It is the second time in a week that Ronaldo has fumed. The Manchester United and Real Madrid icon incredibly stormed off the pitch after Al-Nassr were beaten in their top-of-the-table clash with Nuno Espirito Santo’s Al-Ittihad.
Social media footage shared after the game revealed that Ronaldo had been angered by chants in support of his arch-rival Lionel Messi. Mocking Ronaldo, fans could be heard chanting “Messi, Messi, Messi” in support of the Paris Saint-Germain attacker and World Cup winner.
Al-Ittihad are Al-Nassr’s main contenders for the Saudi Pro League and knocked Ronaldo and co. out of the Saudi Super Cup earlier in the campaign.
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