Cristiano Ronaldo 'set to receive harsh ban and fine' for making 'obscene' gesture after Lionel Messi taunt

Cristiano Ronaldo could be set to receive a ban and a fine for a gesture he made during Al-Nassr's 3-2 win against Al-Shabab in the Saudi Pro League.

Ronaldo opened the scoring in the game from the penalty spot, his 22nd goal of the SPL campaign as he leads the scoring charts ahead of Aleksandar Mitrovic.

Throughout the game the five-time Ballon d'Or winner was serenaded with Lionel Messi chants and couldn't resist responding to the home fans.

Although it wasn't captured by television cameras, fan footage of Ronaldo's reaction quickly circulated online.

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

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

Saudi outlet Arriyadiyah claim Ronaldo is set to receive a two-match ban and a fine for the gesture, although this is yet to be confirmed by Al Nassr or the Saudi Pro League and hasn't been widely reported.

The Arriyadiyah X account tweeted: "Al-Riyadiya sources: The Disciplinary Committee is moving to suspend the Portuguese captain for two matches and fine him due to unsportsmanlike behavior."

This news comes after many pundits called for the Al Nassr striker to be sanctioned for the gesture.

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

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

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

Al Nassr haven't yet made any kind of comment but this is not the first time Ronaldo has been involved in this kind of incident since moving to Saudi last year.

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

He also made a similar gesture in April 2023, as he looked to have grabbed his crotch after being goaded about Messi.