- Al-Nassr’s match against Al-Hilal on Monday evening degenerated into chaos late on
- Cristiano Ronaldo received the eighth red card of his professional career
- Have Liverpool been mentally torpedoed by Man United? Listen to the It all starts podcast
Cristiano Ronaldo has posted on social media after the Portuguese superstar was sent off for violent conduct during Al-Nassr’s 2-1 defeat to Al-Hilal.
The 39-year-old, who was shown a yellow card in the first half for unsportsmanlike conduct, appeared to throw his elbow at Al-Hilal’s Ali Al-Bulaihi in the second half as the five-time Ballon d’Or winner tried to take a quick throw-in.
Al-Bulaihi then fell to the ground, causing an argument between both groups of players, with a video also emerging showing Ronaldo’s stamp on the Al-Hilal defender. It remains unclear whether the former Real Madrid striker made contact with the downed player.
It was a chaotic end to the match, but after tempers had calmed, referee Mohammed Al Hoaish showed Ronaldo a red card – the eighth of his professional career and his first for Al-Nassr.
Outraged by the decision, Ronaldo, who has scored seven times in his last four appearances in the Saudi Pro League, then appeared to raise his fist at the referee before withdrawing the action and marching off the pitch.
Cristiano Ronaldo posted a photo of a sign that read “Love and gratitude is the perfect attitude”
Ronaldo saw red on Monday evening after a collision with Al-Hilal defender Ali Al-Bulaihi
He also appeared to tell the crowd at Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium that “you are all witnesses to this robbery.”
After the match, Al-Hilal boss Jorge Jesus backed his Portuguese compatriot’s defense, claiming he was ‘not used to losing’ and ‘lacked mental focus’ during defeats.
Despite this, Ronaldo has seemingly spoken out for the first time since being shown the red card today, posting an image on his Instagram Story of a sign that read: ‘Love and gratitude is the perfect attitude.’
Ronaldo received a yellow card earlier in the first half after an Al-Nassr goal was disallowed. Otavio had thought that he had given his team a 1-0 lead just before half time, but this was disallowed by the VAR.
The decision prompted the ex-Man United star to express his grievances to the referee, who showed him a yellow card.
According to Al-RiyadiyaRonaldo now faces the prospect of a two-match ban and a 20,000 Riyal (£4,200) fine.
He has already served a one-match suspension this season and missed Al-Nassr’s 4-4 draw against Al-Hazem after responding to insults from fans who shouted ‘Messi, Messi’ at him during his side’s victory against Al-Shabab in February.
After the defeat, his compatriot and opposition manager Jesus said: “Ronaldo is one of the most important players in the world and an example to many,” he told the press after the match.
“But he is not used to losing in his career, so it is normal for him to lose his head when he loses, and also to lose emotional and mental focus in defeats.”
Ronaldo appeared to elbow and then stomp on his opponent, sparking an on-pitch brawl
Referee Mohammed Al-Hoaish waves a straight red card to Ronaldo for violent behavior
Al-Hilal boss Jorge Jesus explained that his compatriot Ronaldo was ‘not used to losing’
He added: “It’s not easy to play against [Al Hilal’s Kalidou] Koulibaly and Al-Bulayhi, they are the best central defenders in Saudi football.
‘I’m not going to deprive Ronaldo of the honour. He is still very strong. He has always been and will remain the most important player in the world. He is an example and a model.’
Al-Nassr boss Luis Castro insisted Ronaldo did not deserve the red card.
“We have seen several clips this season of Ronaldo being provoked,” he said. ‘And after watching some footage, Ronaldo didn’t do anything to get him sent off. The rival player [Al-Bulayhi] pretended [to have been hit.]
‘There was little contact between Cristiano and the rival defender. He caused a scene and VAR should have called the referee to review the broadcast episode.”