Cristiano Ronaldo (41, Al Nassr) has caused trouble again. Earning nearly 400 million euros a year (about 684.9 billion won), he mocked a referee decision and now faces the possibility of a heavy sanction.
World Soccer Talk reported on the 14th (Korean time) that Ronaldo is in big trouble. The Saudi Arabian professional league is weighing a strong suspension after he made a shocking gesture.
Al Nassr, Ronaldo's club, lost 1-3 on the 13th in a six-point showdown with rival Al Hilal in round 15 of the 2025-2026 Saudi Pro League at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The defeat is a major blow to Al Nassr's title challenge. Al Nassr had been leading through last month but has fallen to second after losing three straight matches. In particular, the result left them on 31 points, widening the gap to Al Hilal, which has 38 points, to seven. With only 14 matches played so far there is still hope, but the mood is not good.
It was a painful comeback loss. Al Nassr took the lead in the 42nd minute of the first half with a goal by Ronaldo. But they collapsed in the second half after conceding three consecutive goals.
Unable to hide his frustration as his dream of ending a trophy drought faded again this season, Ronaldo showed his discontent throughout the match by protesting the referee's decisions and shaking his head with a look of disbelief. After being substituted in the 38th minute of the second half, he even gave a wry smile.
Ronaldo even made a gesture as if he could not accept Al Hilal's goal. During the period waiting for the goal to be confirmed, he waved his arms several times to indicate 'no goal,' and even after sitting on the bench he made a hand motion widely interpreted as saying the goal was 'stolen' because of the referee's decision, sparking controversy.
Because the gesture was made while facing the camera, the controversy spread quickly. World Soccer Talk said Ronaldo's supporters argued it was a natural reaction to a controversial referee, noting two penalty kicks were awarded and the goalkeeper received a red card. But critics warned it was an inappropriate gesture and he could be disciplined.
The outlet said the context made the incident more significant. The 40-year-old veteran Ronaldo had already been visibly protesting, including engaging in a heated conversation with the fourth official during the match. The gesture after the match was the culmination of frustration.
There is a real possibility it could lead to disciplinary action. Under the Saudi Arabian Football Federation's disciplinary and ethical code, Ronaldo's gesture could be classified as an offensive act and as undermining the integrity of match officials. Recent precedents show that insulting or dishonorable conduct toward referees can result in a suspension of two to four matches.
If Ronaldo receives a four-match suspension, he would miss matches against Al Shabab, Damac, Al Taawoun, and Al Kholood. BeIN Sports said that if the scenario becomes reality it would make Al Nassr's already precarious title hopes even more difficult, and that Ronaldo's dream of securing Al Nassr's first official title since joining the Saudi stage is once again disappearing.
Meanwhile, since leaving Manchester United on Jan. 1, 2023, and putting on the Al Nassr jersey, Ronaldo has yet to lift a trophy. Including cup competitions, he has failed to win in more than 10 consecutive tournaments and has repeatedly come up short. There was even talk that the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) was pushing for Al Nassr to win, but Ronaldo faces another trophyless season.
[Photo] ©Gettyimages (unauthorized reproduction and redistribution prohibited), World Soccer News.
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