It’s been just over a month since Cristiano Ronaldo was banned and fined because of his vulgar response to Lionel Messi taunts during Al-Nassr’s clash with Al-Shabab.The five-time Ballon d’Or winner reacted to Al-Shabab supporters in the stands after a dramatic 3-2 win over their Saudi Pro League rivals. He was caught on camera making an offensive and lewd gesture towards the crowd.
The Saudi Arabian Football Federation acted quickly and handed CR7 a one-match ban and a fine of 30,000 Saudi Riyals ($7,997.64). But has he learnt his lesson? There are concerns that his temper is getting the better of him in Saudi Arabia.During Al Nassr’s Saudi Super Cup semi-final against Al Hilal on Monday night, Ronaldo pointed his elbow in the direction of Saudi Arabia international Ali Al-Bulayhi, not once, but twice.
His anger appeared to boil over later, and he ended up elbowing an Al-Hilal player and was shown a straight red card – he even raised his fist in anger at the referee afterwards. “I’m not going to take credit away from Ronaldo,” Al-Hilal coach Jorge Jesus said about his Portuguese compatriot. “He’s still very strong, he always has been and will continue to be the most important player in the world, he’s an example and a model.”
Jesus added “But he’s not used to losing in his career, so it is natural for him to lose his head when he loses, as well as for him to lose emotional and mental focus in defeats.” Ronaldo is facing a two-game suspension after receiving his first red card in Saudi Arabia for elbowing an opponent as Al-Nassr lost 2-1 to Al-Hilal in the Saudi Super Cup semifinals. According to some media reports, CR7 will also be hit with a fine of 20,000 riyals (about $5,331.91) because of his bad behaviour.
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