Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – February 29, 2024: Cristiano Ronaldo, the star forward for Al-Nassr, has been handed a one-match ban and a fine for “provoking fans” following his team’s victory over Al-Shabab in the Saudi Pro League.

The incident occurred after Sunday’s 3-2 win, where opposing fans taunted Ronaldo with chants of “Messi,” referencing his long-standing rivalry with Argentinean footballer Lionel Messi. The 39-year-old Portuguese captain responded by cupping his ear and making a gesture towards the supporters, which was deemed inappropriate by the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF).

The SAFF disciplinary and ethics committee ruled the gesture as “provoking” and imposed a one-match suspension on Ronaldo, along with a 30,000 Saudi Riyal (£6,300) fine. The decision is final and cannot be appealed.

This is not the first time Ronaldo has been embroiled in controversy since joining the Saudi league in December 2022. However, his performance on the field remains undeniable. He opened the scoring for Al-Nassr in the match, though they needed a late goal from teammate Talisca to secure the win. With 20 goals in 22 league games this season, Ronaldo is a key player for his team, currently sitting second in the table behind Al-Hilal.

Despite the ban, Ronaldo is expected to return to action soon, aiming to continue his goal-scoring form and help Al-Nassr challenge for the league title. However, the incident serves as a reminder of the intense scrutiny football stars face, even in unexpected situations.