Cristiano Ronaldo scored the decisive goal in the Arab Club Champions Cup semi-final match in Al-Nassr’s 1-0 victory over Iraq’s Al-Shorta team on Wednesday. However, the joy expressed by the Portuguese after this success provoked strong reactions in Saudi Arabia.
The famous “Siuuuu” Ronaldo celebrated his 10th birthday a few days ago. When an attacker jumps after a goal, the entire stadium prepares their vocal cords to scream at the top of their lungs. However, there are also less enthusiastic “CR7” nods. For example, in April, the 38-year-old Portuguese touched his crotch. Some voices called for the star to be punished but nothing happened.
On Wednesday, Ronaldo sparked a new controversy. And in the semi-finals of the Arab Cup for Champions Clubs, Al-Nassr won a penalty kick in the last quarter of the hour. Ronaldo grabbed the leather and threw it into the net. Then he rushed to the corner flag and started doing what all the fans were waiting for: “Siuuuu”.
sign of the cross
So far, everything has been fine. But suddenly the former Real Madrid player made a Christian gesture on the cross. Ronaldo calls himself a Christian, but in Saudi Arabia it is legally difficult to live with that belief. Praying in public or displaying symbols related to the Christian religion is a crime in this Muslim country and can even be punished with arrest.
The example of former Victory player Juan Pablo Pino shows that Ronaldo’s gesture could have consequences. In fact, the Colombian was arrested in a mall because a Jesus tattoo was visible on his arm. Is it possible that “CR7” will also be punished? The star Portuguese striker is a figurehead in the Saudi Professional League and so it is very likely that he could work for him.
For the record, Al-Nassr will face, today, Saturday, Al-Hilal in the final of the Arab Cup for Champions Clubs.
