Cristiano Ronaldo 'under investigation' for obscene gesture after Lionel Messi taunt

Cristiano Ronaldo is reported to be "under investigation" for an obscene gesture made in response to Lionel Messi chants in Al Nassr's 3-2 win over Al Shabab on Sunday.

Ronaldo was on the scoresheet in the Saudi Pro League victory but not for the first time, took issue with the level of trolling from opposition fans.

The five-time Ballon d'Or winner was subjected to Messi chants and couldn't help but response to the home fans.

Though it was not picked up by the television cameras, fan footage of Ronaldo's action widely circulated online.

The 39-year-old appeared to cup his ears and then moving his hand to and from his pelvic area multiple times.

However, the gesture could see Ronaldo punished. As per Saudi newspaper Asharq al-Awsat, via Reuters, the Saudi Arabia football federation have opened an investigation into Ronaldo's conduct.

A number of pundits have been critical of the gesture and called for the former Real Madrid and Manchester United man to be sanctioned.

Cristiano Ronaldo to fans who chanted Messi all game. 🤣 pic.twitter.com/sSwcvnHF9C

— Not Match of the Day (@NOT_MOTD) February 26, 2024

Waleed Al Farraj, a Saudi writer and TV host, took to X to comment on the situation.

“The disciplinary committee is facing the biggest test. We will wait and see,” he told his 7.4 million followers.

“Everything has its limits, no matter how famous you are. This is how the major leagues are.”

Al Nassr are yet to issue a comment on the matter but it is not the first time Ronaldo has been involved in this kind of incident since moving to Saudi.

Earlier this month, he appeared to rub his crotch on an Al Hilal scarf after a Riyadh Season Cup defeat.

And in April 2023, he looked to have grabbed his crotch after being goaded about Messi.

He faced calls to be banned, with his club issuing a bizarre explanation. They said: "Ronaldo is suffering from an injury. A duel with Gustavo Cuellar (Al Hilal) started with Ronaldo being hit in a very sensitive area.

"This is confirmed information. The fans may think what they want."