Cristiano Ronaldo sent off for appearing to elbow bitter rival before he resists urge to furiously punch ball at referee
CRISTIANO RONALDO has been sent off after appearing to elbow an opponent in the chest.
The former Manchester United star, 39, had been in action for Al-Nassr in the Saudi Super Cup when the flashpoint occurred.
With his side trailing 2-0 courtesy of goals by Salem Al-Dawsari and ex-Barcelona ace Malcom, Ronaldo’s frustration got the better of him.
After sliding the ball out of play, Al-Hilal defender Ali Al-Bulayhi tried to prevent the Portuguese from grabbing the ball to take a quick throw-in.
When Ronaldo nudged him out the way, Al-Bulayhi appeared to square up to him.
At this point, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner seemed to ram his elbow into his opponent’s chest.
Al-Bulayhi, 34, went down in a heap, with players from both sides immediately running over.
Kalidou Koulibaly went rushing in and was shoved, before Aymeric Laporte tried to act as peacemaker.
When the referee flashed his red card at Ronaldo, the forward appeared to motion as if he wanted to punch the ball at the official.
He then sarcastically gave the ref a thumbs up, before motioning over at Al-Bulayhi, still crumpled in a heap.
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Cristiano Ronaldo's red cards
Ronaldo picked up his 12th career red card against Al-Hilal
- Aston Villa vs MAN UTD (2004) – Yellow cards for diving and chipping goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen after the whistle had gone.
- Man City vs MAN UTD (2006) – Straight red card for a high tackle on former United legend Andy Cole, of all people.
- Portsmouth vs MAN UTD (2007) – Straight red card for headbutting midfielder Richard Hughes.
- Man City vs MAN UTD (2008) – Yellow card for a cynical foul on Shaun Wright-Phillips, second yellow for a deliberate handball.
- REAL MADRID vs Almeria (2009) – Ronaldo’s first home red card. One yellow for taking his shirt off to celebrate a goal. A second yellow for aiming a kick at midfielder Juanma Ortiz.
- REAL MADRID vs Malaga (2010) – Straight red card for a stray elbow which fractured defender Patrick Mtiliga’s nose. Ronaldo said afterwards: “If he wasn’t 5 foot 6, I might have caught him in the chest.”
- REAL MADRID vs Atletico Madrid (2013) – Ronaldo received a straight red card for a high kick in Atleti captain Gabi’s face as Real lost the Copa del Rey final 2-1 on home soil.
- Athletic Bilbao vs REAL MADRID (2014) – Straight red card for striking an opponent in the face during a skirmish before a corner.
- Cordoba vs REAL MADRID (2015) – Straight red card for kicking left-back Edimar and pushing centre-back Jose Angel Crespo
- Barcelona vs REAL MADRID (2017) – Ronaldo made it a red card in the Manchester derby, Madrid derby and El Clasico in the 2017 Spanish Super Cup. The Portugal star received yellow cards for removing his shirt to celebrate a goal at the Nou Camp and diving. He made matters worse by aiming a slight push at the referee after getting sent off.
- Valencia vs JUVENTUS (2018) – Controversial red card after defender Jeison Murillo threw himself to the ground as the pair jostled for position.
- Al-Hilal vs AL-NASSR (2024) – Little doubt about this one as Ronaldo appeared to swing his elbow twice at defender Ali Al-Bulayhi.
As he left the pitch, Ronaldo was taunted by “Messi” chants from the crowd.
This is not the first time that Al-Bulayhi has upset Ronaldo.
In a Saudi Pro League clash last season, Ronaldo accused the 34-year-old of play-acting.
On that occasion it was Al-Bulayhi who went on to be sent off after picking up two yellow cards.
The veteran defender has also had run-ins with the likes of Lionel Messi and Son Heung-min.
During Saudi Arabia‘s clash with Argentina at the 2022 World Cup, Al-Bulayhi went head-to-head with Messi, telling him “you won’t win”.
Saudi Arabia went on to win the match 2-1, although Messi and Co had the last laugh by going on to win the tournament.
When Saudi Arabia played South Korea at the Asian Cup earlier this year, Al-Bulayhi shoved Son.
The Tottenham star refused to rise to it, instead smiling as the pair exchanged words.
Al-Bulayhi then seemed to pull Son’s hair, but again the forward didn’t react.
Despite Ronaldo having been sent off, Sadio Mane did manage to grab a goal back for Al-Nassr.
But they went on to lose 2-1, with league leaders Al-Hilal advancing to the Saudi Super Cup final, in which they will face Al-Ittihad.