- Al-Nassr’s match against Al-Hilal on Monday night descended into chaos at the end of the match.
- Cristiano Ronaldo saw the eighth red card of his professional career
- Have Liverpool been mentally torpedoed by Man United? Listen to the everything is beginning podcast
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Cristiano Ronaldo has posted a message on social media after the Portuguese superstar was sent off for violent conduct during Al-Nassr’s 2-1 defeat against Al-Hilal.
The 39-year-old, who received a first-half yellow card 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 attempted a throw-in. fast band.
Subsequently, Al-Bulaihi fell to the ground causing a fight between both groups of players, and a video appeared that also appears to show Ronaldo’s stamp on the Al-Hilal defender. It is unclear if the former Real Madrid striker had contact with the downed player.
The end of the match was chaotic, but when tempers calmed, referee Mohammed Al Hoaish showed Ronaldo a red card, the eighth of his professional career and the first for Al-Nassr.
Outraged by the decision, Ronaldo, who has scored seven goals in his last four Saudi Pro League appearances, appeared to raise his fist at the referee before withdrawing the action and marching off the field.
Cristiano Ronaldo posted a photo of a sign that said ‘Love and gratitude is the perfect attitude’
Ronaldo saw red after a clash with Al-Hilal defender Ali Al-Bulaihi on Monday night.
He also appeared to tell members of the crowd inside the Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium “you are all witnessing this robbery.”
After the match, Al-Hilal coach Jorge Jesús came to the defense of his Portuguese compatriot, claiming that he was “not used to losing” and that he “lacked mental concentration” during defeats.
Despite that, Ronaldo apparently spoke out for the first time since receiving the red card today, posting an image on his Instagram Story of a sign that reads: “Love and gratitude is the perfect attitude.”
Earlier that night, Ronaldo had received a booking after his team had a goal disallowed. Octavio thought he had given his team a 1-0 lead on the stroke of half-time, but VAR ruled him out, prompting the former Man United star to voice his complaints to the referee.
According to Al-Riyadiya, Ronaldo now faces the prospect of a two-match ban and a 20,000 rial (£4,200) fine.
He already served a one-match ban this season, missing Al-Nassr’s 4-4 draw against Al-Hazem, after responding to taunts from fans who shouted “Messi, Messi” during his team’s victory against Al-Shabab in February.
After the defeat, his compatriot, the rival team’s coach Jesús, said: “Ronaldo is one of the most important players in the world and an example for many,” he told the press after the match.
“But he is not used to losing in his career, so it is natural that he loses his mind when he loses, as well as loses emotional and mental concentration in defeats.”
Ronaldo appeared to elbow and then stomp on his opponent, sparking a fight on the field.
Referee Mohammed Al-Hoaish shows Ronaldo a direct red card for violent conduct
Al-Hilal coach Jorge Jesús explained that his compatriot Ronaldo “was not used to losing”
And he added: “It is not easy to play against [Al Hilal’s Kalidou] Koulibaly and Al-Bulayhi are the best central defenders in Saudi football.
“I’m not going to take credit away from Ronaldo, he’s still very strong, he has always been and will continue to be the most important player in the world, he is an example and a model.”
Al-Nassr coach Luis Castro insisted that Ronaldo did not deserve the red card.
“We have seen several clips throughout this season in which Ronaldo was provoked,” he said. “And, after seeing some images, Ronaldo did nothing that deserved expulsion. The rival player [Al-Bulayhi] pretended [to have been hit.]
‘There was little contact between Cristiano and the rival defender. It caused a scene and the VAR should have called the referee to review the expulsion episode.
