Cristiano Ronaldo, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner, has come under fire for a controversial incident following Al Nassr's 3-2 victory over Al Shabab in a Saudi Pro League match on Sunday. A video circulating on social media showed Ronaldo appearing to make an offensive gesture towards Al Shabab supporters by cupping his ear and thrusting his hand forward near his pelvis. This action was seemingly aimed at rival fans, with chants of "Messi" heard in the background, referring to Ronaldo's soccer rival, Lionel Messi.

Despite the lack of television camera footage capturing the incident, the 39-year-old Portugal striker has faced swift criticism, prompting the Saudi football federation (SAFF) to launch an investigation. Ronaldo, who joined Al Nassr in December 2022, could potentially face suspension, which may impact his availability for the upcoming match against Al-Hazem on Thursday.

Leading the league with 22 goals this season, Ronaldo contributed to the victory over Al Shabab by scoring a first-half penalty before Brazilian Talisca's late double secured the win for Al Nassr. The team currently trails Al Hilal by four points and is also vying for success in the Asian Champions League, with a quarterfinal match against Al-Ain of the United Arab Emirates slated for next month.