Cristiano Ronaldo’s Red Card Incident: Elbowing, Ball Outburst & Near Clash with Referee
Cristiano Ronaldo, the renowned Portuguese footballer, found himself in the midst of controversy during a match between Al-Nassr and Al-Hilal in the Saudi Super Cup. The former Manchester United star was shown a red card after appearing to elbow his opponent in the chest. The incident occurred when Ronaldo’s frustration got the better of him as his team trailed 2-0. It all began when he slid the ball out of play and attempted to grab it quickly for a throw-in.
However, Al-Hilal defender Ali Al-Bulayhi stood in his way, preventing Ronaldo from reaching the ball. In response, Ronaldo nudged Al-Bulayhi aside, leading the defender to square up to him. It was at this point that Ronaldo seemed to drive his elbow into his opponent’s chest. Al-Bulayhi fell to the ground, prompting players from both sides to intervene.
Kalidou Koulibaly and Aymeric Laporte were among the players who rushed in to try and calm the situation. However, when the referee showed Ronaldo the red card, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner gestured as if he wanted to punch the ball at the official. He followed this up with a sarcastic thumbs-up gesture towards the referee before motioning towards Al-Bulayhi, who was still on the ground.
This is not the first time that Ali Al-Bulayhi has upset Ronaldo. In a previous Saudi Pro League clash, Ronaldo accused Al-Bulayhi of play-acting, which ultimately led to the defender being sent off after receiving two yellow cards. Al-Bulayhi has also had run-ins with other football stars such as Lionel Messi and Son Heung-min. During Saudi Arabia’s match against Argentina in the 2022 World Cup, Al-Bulayhi confronted Messi, telling him that he wouldn’t win. Although Saudi Arabia won the match 2-1, Messi and his team ultimately triumphed by winning the tournament.
In another incident, during a match between Saudi Arabia and South Korea at the Asian Cup, Al-Bulayhi shoved Son Heung-min. However, the Tottenham star chose not to react and instead exchanged words with Al-Bulayhi while smiling. Al-Bulayhi even went as far as pulling Son’s hair, but the forward maintained his composure.
As Ronaldo left the pitch after being sent off, he was taunted by chants of “Messi” from the crowd. Despite the red card, Sadio Mane managed to score a goal for Al-Nassr. However, they ultimately lost the match 2-1, with league leaders Al-Hilal advancing to the Saudi Super Cup final where they will face Al-Ittihad.
Ronaldo’s red card incident adds to his list of career red cards, which now stands at 12. Throughout his career, Ronaldo has faced disciplinary action for various infractions, including diving, high tackles, headbutting, and deliberate fouls. Despite these incidents, Ronaldo remains one of the most accomplished and influential footballers of his generation.
In conclusion, Cristiano Ronaldo’s red card incident during the Saudi Super Cup match between Al-Nassr and Al-Hilal has once again put the spotlight on his temperament on the field. His frustration and subsequent elbowing of an opponent showcased a moment of weakness in an otherwise illustrious career. However, it is important to remember that football is an emotional game, and even the greatest players can succumb to their emotions at times. It remains to be seen how Ronaldo will bounce back from this incident and continue to contribute to his team’s success in future matches.