In a recent development, Cristiano Ronaldo has been penalized with a one-match ban and fined 30,000 Saudi Riyals (£6,300) by the Saudi Arabian Football Federation. This action stems from Ronaldo’s celebration during Al-Nassr’s 3-2 victory over Al-Shabab, deemed to have incited ‘public excitement by gesture’ according to the SAFF.
The intense rivalry between Ronaldo and Lionel Messi has been a defining feature of football for nearly two decades, with both players dominating the Ballon D’Or awards from 2008 to 2017. While their rivalry reached its peak during their tenures at Real Madrid and Barcelona, Ronaldo’s move to Juventus in 2018 marked a shift in their on-pitch dynamics.
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Ronaldo’s subsequent return to Manchester United in 2021 stirred excitement among fans, but his tenure was short-lived as he sought an exit after just 18 months. His move to Saudi Arabia sparked a trend, enticing several players from Europe to the Middle East, although Messi opted for a different path by joining Inter Miami in Major League Soccer, declining a lucrative offer from the Saudi league.
As Ronaldo faces consequences for his celebration, the enduring rivalry between him and Messi continues to captivate football enthusiasts worldwide, leaving a lasting legacy on the sport.
Watch Cristiano Ronaldo’s Celebration vs Al Shabab
https://youtube.com/shorts/06Sh5VjtHI8?si=rm0rpzCZlkTXrTX3
