Cristiano Ronaldo caused a stir by rubbing an opposing team’s scarf on his crotch during a match in Saudi Arabia. The incident was captured in a viral social media clip, showing Ronaldo visibly angered after his team’s 2-0 defeat in a crucial game. The 39-year-old forward has been facing taunts from rival fans since his move to the Middle East, leading to the bizarre outburst.
The opposition fans threw Al-Hilal-branded scarves at him, which he appeared to put inside the front of his shorts before rubbing one against his crotch and tossing it away. Following his move to Saudi Arabia at the start of 2023, Ronaldo has faced mocking from rival fans, including chants referencing his long-time rival Lionel Messi. He responded to the taunts by pointing to himself and declaring his presence during a match.
His high-profile move to Saudi Arabia prompted other big names to accept lucrative deals in the Middle East, but his team, Al-Nassr, has struggled to keep up with league leaders Al-Hilal, who remain unbeaten in the Saudi Pro League. Despite his individual success, Ronaldo’s frustration with his team’s struggles was evident in the incident. He has scored 20 league goals in 18 appearances but has yet to secure a league title with Al-Nassr, unlike his successes with previous clubs such as Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus.