Ronaldo Faces New Sanction Risk After Obscene Gesture in Saudi League Match

A provocative gesture by Cristiano Ronaldo during Al-Nassr's 4-2 victory over Al-Shabab on Thursday night has reignited calls for disciplinary action against the Portuguese star. The incident occurred in the 33rd round of the Saudi Roshn League, where Ronaldo scored his team's third goal.

Television cameras captured Al-Shabab supporters deliberately taunting the veteran forward by chanting the name of his long-time rival, Lionel Messi, who captains Inter Miami in the United States. In response, Ronaldo first danced sarcastically to the rhythm of the chants before making an obscene movement, sparking widespread outrage among football fans who demanded he be punished.

This is not the first time Ronaldo has faced such scrutiny. In February 2024, the Saudi league's Disciplinary and Ethics Committee suspended him for one match for a similar gesture directed at the same Al-Shabab crowd.

Having already been banned once, the 40-year-old now risks a fresh penalty ahead of a crucial clash against Al-Hilal next Tuesday. That match could largely determine the identity of this season's Saudi Pro League champion.

Al-Nassr currently tops the league table with a five-point lead over Al-Hilal, though the latter has one game in hand.