Cristiano Ronaldo, the veteran football sensation, made headlines after suffering a “sensitive” groin injury during the Al-Nassr vs Al-Hilal match on Tuesday. His reaction to the chants of his rival’s name by Al-Hilal fans during the charged match has caused widespread outrage among football fans throughout the country.
As Ronaldo walked off the field at the end of the match, Al-Hilal fans began to chant the name of Lionel Messi, which prompted the Al-Nassr captain to grab his crotch in their direction. The gesture was deemed doubly offensive since it was considered too obscene, especially during the holy month of Ramadan, and because Ronaldo had been accused of ‘abusing’ fans, leading to a social media trend terming him a ‘fan abuser’.
Following the calls for his expulsion from Saudi Arabia, Al-Nassr’s board attempted to explain away the gesture, attributing it to a “sensitive” injury in the groin region, and not an intent to disrespect. The club’s board spoke to journalist Muhammed Al-Enezi regarding the matter, who confirmed Ronaldo’s injury and stated, “As for the fans’ explanations, they are free to think whatever they want.”
Earlier in the match, Ronaldo was booked for a WWE-style tackle, narrowly missing a red card. The defeat of Al-Nassr has left their captain under fire from fans calling for his expulsion from the country.
The incident has stirred up controversy in the football community, with many condemning Ronaldo’s actions as disrespectful and inappropriate. Some have come to his defense, claiming that the injury he sustained contributed to his behavior.
Despite the explanation from Al-Nassr’s board, the gesture made by Ronaldo has ignited a heated debate that will continue to generate discussions among football fans in the coming days. The football star has not yet commented on the incident, leaving many to speculate on his reaction to the controversy.
