RIYADH: Social media erupted in anger over Al-Nassr’s Cristiano Ronaldo reaction to Al-Hilal fans following the derby rivals’ clash in the Riyadh Season Cup on Thursday night.
A brief fan-shot video showed the Portuguese striker putting an Al-Hilal scarf in his shorts after it was thrown at him while he walked toward the tunnel at Kingdom Arena in the Saudi capital.
Ronaldo then threw the scarf back at the Al-Hilal fans.
“He must be held accountable,” said a user on X, adding they are now waiting for disciplinary action from sporting authorities.
Another social media user said that he “used to respect and love the Don” before that “dirty” move, adding: “Great players show their mettle in times of defeat.”
Al-Hilal won a heated local derby 2-0 in what was a frustrating night for Al-Nassr and their fans.
Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and Salem Al-Dawsari scored for Al-Hilal in the first half before the team shut down Al-Nassr with a determined defensive display.
Another fan said Ronaldo’s “bad behavior has been repeated,” referring to an incident last April when the 39-year-old attacker grabbed his crotch after Al-Hilal fans taunted him with the name of World Cup winner Lionel Messi.
Ronaldo was again captured on video arguing with Al-Hilal fans during the match on Thursday after relentless chants of “Messi, Messi.”
The Al-Nassr star was also booked by the referee for kicking the ball away in frustration on the 53rd minute.
He also seemed to be agitated while walking through the Al-Hilal guard of honor, shooing away an event official who was in his way.
