Cristiano Ronaldo Taunts Rival Fans Who Heckled Him With ‘Messi’ Chants Earlier in Match

Ahmad Austin Jr.Oct 31st, 2023, 4:53 pm
 
Cristiano Ronaldo

Vahid Salemi/AP

Even in Saudi Arabia, soccer superstar Cristiano Ronaldo can’t escape his biggest rival.

This time, however, Ronaldo got the last laugh.

On Tuesday, Saudi soccer club Al-Nassr faced Al-Ettifaq in the King Cup of Champions round of 16. Ronaldo, who signed with Al-Nassr earlier in the year for more than $75 million per year, was heckled relentlessly by Al-Ettifaq fans. At one point, the rival crowd even began chanting “Messi,” teasing Ronaldo by invoking the name of the player he’s been compared to throughout much of his career.

Ronald chose not to ignore the chants. In response, he actually turned toward the crowd to shush them. As one might expect, the gesture was met with boos.

The game was tied at 0-0 heading into extra time. In the 107th minute, Al-Nassr midfielder Sadio Mane scored the go-ahead goal thanks to a well-placed pass into the box from Ayman Yahya. As soon as the ball went through the net, Mane jogged toward one section of the crowd with Ronaldo right behind him. The two players then began pointing at the crowd and mockingly blowing kisses at them. Ronaldo could also be seen saying something, but it’s unknown what was said.

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