Cristiano Ronaldo will win the £6,000 fine imposed by the Saudi Football Federation in just 19 minutes thanks to his staggering £175million-a-year contract with Al-Nassr.
The Portuguese icon appeared to make an obscenity gesture at the end of his club’s recent victory against Al-Shabab in response to rival fans who riled him up with chants of ‘Messi, Messi’ after the final whistle.
In images circulating of the incident, the former Manchester United and Real Madrid star is seen covering his ears before pointing to his crotch.
Ronaldo was reportedly summoned by Saudi football bosses to explain the gesture, which Spanish reports said was seen as “immoral” in the strictly religious Gulf state.
The committee has said its decision is not subject to appeal and that the 39-year-old would be forced to serve a one-match ban following a fine of 10,000 Saudi riyals (£2,107) to the Saudi Football Federation, and 20,000 rials (£4,215) to Al-Shabab to cover the complainant’s filing costs.
Cristiano Ronaldo will be more than capable of paying the £6,000 fine imposed by the Saudi Football Federation
The former Real Madrid star was sanctioned for an obscene gesture directed at local Al-Shabab fans
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But the sum may not have worried the former Juventus striker as his spectacular salary means Ronaldo could earn the total in less than 20 minutes.
Following his successful move to the Kingdom in 2013, Ronaldo now earns £478,142 a day, with every hour he spends worth £19,922.
The superstar’s staggering total annual earnings – £218m, including endorsements – make him the highest-paid athlete in global sport.
Ronaldo is followed by rival Lionel Messi, who came third with annual earnings of £103 million, and France captain Kylian Mbappé, who came fifth with total earnings of £99.2 million.
Before receiving the suspension on Thursday, Ronaldo was defiant and defended his actions in the heat of the moment.
“I respect all clubs,” Ronaldo said on Wednesday. And the joy after the (game) expresses strength and victory, and is not shameful.
Ronaldo is the highest paid athlete in world sport, surpassing Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé
“In Europe we are used to it.”
Ronaldo previously went unpunished shortly after his arrival at the club in April 2023 when he appeared to grab his crotch in response to screaming fans calling for Messi as he walked through the tunnel after the defeat to Al-Hilal.
Al-Nassr claimed the 3-2 victory on the road, putting them within striking distance of Saudi Pro League leaders Al-Hilal.
But Aleksandar Mitrovic’s team remains at the top with 59 points, seven ahead of their closest rivals.
