Soccer’s two biggest stars are in the media for all the wrong reasons this week. Lionel Messi is facing backlash from the entirety of China with the country canceling Argentina’s friendly next month, and Cristiano Ronaldo is in the news after a classic temper tantrum.
Ronaldo’s meltdown happened on Thursday during the Riyadh Season Cup after his side Al Nassr were bested by Al Hilal 2-0. CR7 had just returned from injury and had a poor performance on Thursday.
The Al Hilal fans let him hear it chanting Messi’s name at him throughout the game. The chanting finally got to him. During the game he could be seen telling the fans his name isn’t Messi and after the final whistle he was still steaming.
The peak of his anger came when a fan tossed their Al Hilal jersey at Ronaldo while walking down the tunnel. The Al Nassr forward responded by rubbing the jersey on his private area and throwing it on the ground.
Cristiano Ronaldo Al Hilal jersey moment meltdown
— Out Of Context Football (@nocontextfooty) February 9, 2024
— Out Of Context Football (@nocontextfooty) February 9, 2024
— Out Of Context Football (@nocontextfooty) February 9, 2024
The guy is a competitor who hates losing. Even at 39 years old the fire inside of him rages after suffering a defeat.
He could probably tone it down with the theatrics after a loss.
Ronaldo and Al Nassr’s next game will be on Feb. 14 in the AFC Champions League Round of 16 against Al Fayha who sit 14th in the Saudi Pro League.