Watch: Cristiano Ronaldo makes obscene gesture to Lionel Messi chants, draws criticism

Cristiano Ronaldo appeared to make an obscene gesture at the end of Al Nassr’s 3-2 win over Al Shabab in a Saudi Pro League game on Sunday.

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— كورة | Alnassr 📽️ (@BLLvid) February 25, 2024

The forward opened the scoring with a 21st-minute penalty but Al Nassr needed a late goal from Talisca, who struck twice, to settle the game with four minutes left.

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After the final whistle, videos captured Ronaldo cupping his ear before repeatedly pumping his hands from his genital area. The action appeared to be directed at rival Al Shabab supporters.

In the background, chants of “Messi” could be heard, referencing Ronaldo’s long-time rival Lionel who now plays for Inter Miami in Major League Soccer.

The incident was not caught on TV cameras, but some Saudi Arabian pundits said Ronaldo should be sanctioned. The league has made no official response but Saudi newspaper Asharq al-Awsat said the national football federation had opened an investigation.

“The disciplinary committee is facing the biggest test. We will wait and see,” Waleed Al Farraj, a Saudi writer and television host, said on social media platform X. “Everything has its limits, no matter how famous you are. This is how the major leagues are,” he added.

Ronaldo, 39, has faced similar criticism in the past for his gestures. In April 2023, he appeared to grab his genitals while making his way to the dugout at the end of a league game against Al Hilal, which Al Nassr lost 2-0.

Earlier this month, Ronaldo picked up an Al Hilal scarf thrown at him from fans, put it in his shorts and threw it away as he walked towards the tunnel. Al Nassr had also that game - a 2-0 defeat in the Riyadh Season Cup final.

On the pitch, Ronaldo has been in sublime form. He tops the Saudi league scoring charts with 22 goals in 20 appearances this season. Al Nassr are second in the points table with 52 points, four behind Al Hilal, who have a game in hand.