Al Nassr striker Cristiano Ronaldo was reportedly punished by the Saudi Arabian Football Federation after making an obscene gesture at fans chanting Lionel Messi’s name.

Ronaldo had to endure compliments about his rival Lionel Messi from Al Shabab fans during Al Nassr’s 3-2 victory in round 21 of the Saudi Pro League.

Accordingly, Al Shabab fans chanted Messi’s name throughout the match. However, a goal and three points were clearly not enough to appease the Portuguese superstar, who responded to the chants of Messi’s name by placing his hand on his ear, then reaching down to his groin and making a move. incomprehensible movements. The 39-year-old striker was immediately criticized and has now been punished.

Ronaldo’s obscene gesture in response to chants of Messi’s name in the stands. Photo: GETTY.

According to Saudi Arabian media, via  the Daily Mail , Ronaldo was suspended for 2 matches for committing X-rated behavior, along with an undisclosed fine. Although a monetary penalty will not be a concern for Ronaldo with a salary of £175 million per year, a ban will be a major blow to CR7 and his team. The Portuguese will now miss the March 1 match against Al Hazm and could also miss Al Nassr’s AFC Champions League quarter-final in a week’s time.

Ronaldo’s reaction in the last match was certainly surprising, not only because players tend to ignore insults from opponents’ fans but also because chanting Messi has become common. during the 14 months he was in the Middle East. This is also not the first time Ronaldo has faced backlash for an X-rated gesture, as he once wiped an Al Hilal fan’s towel down on his groin and then threw it into the stands during a match between Al Nassr vs. Al Hilal took place in early February.

While the details of the ban are yet to be finalised, Ronaldo could be sidelined for some time. If reports from Saudi Arabia are accurate, the Portuguese striker will not return to action until March 7, when Al Nassr hosts Al Raed in the National Championship.