Author: Vishwajit Sawant
Cristiano Ronaldo’s recent performance for Al Nasr made headlines for both his brilliance on the pitch and his controversial actions. During a match against Al-Hilal, Ronaldo almost seriously injured his opponent and made a rude gesture that resulted in talks of deportation from Saudi Arabia.
The situation began during half-time, when the visiting Al-Hilal fans started insulting Ronaldo by shouting “Messi-Messi” as he headed for the dressing room. In response, Ronaldo made an obscene gesture by touching his genitals, which is highly offensive in Saudi Arabia.
As a result of his actions, a Saudi lawyer specializing in international law, Nuf bin Ahmed, filed a lawsuit with the Public Prosecutor’s Office, stating that Ronaldo’s behavior constitutes a crime and could result in the arrest and deportation of a foreigner. Although it seems unlikely that such severe consequences will materialize, the incident sparked a heated debate on the sports program, Action ya Dawri.
Opinions on Ronaldo’s behavior differ, with some, such as journalist Ozman Abu Bakr, believing that the player’s behavior was immoral and disrespectful to the public, and that Ronaldo’s contract should be terminated. However, others take a more moderate view.
Regardless, the controversy detracted from Ronaldo’s brilliant performance for Al Nasr. Despite his achievements on the pitch, his actions off it created negative headlines, showing how the behavior of even the most talented athletes can be scrutinized and judged.
It’s important to note that Ronaldo’s side are in second place in the league with 53 points. Al-Ittihad lead the way with 56 points and a game in hand. There are six rounds to go.