They might be playing in different continents these days, but the Cristiano Ronaldo vs Lionel Messi rivalry was laid bare by fans in Saudi Arabia... and Ronaldo's reaction to them chanting the name of his old foe.
For years, the pair went head to head in Spain. Ronaldo's goals for Real Madrid and Messi's for Barcelona saw the two clubs in direct opposition, with the two stars sharing a decade's worth of Ballon d'Or wins between them.
These days, Ronaldo is in the Saudi Pro League with Al-Nassr, while Messi has moved to Major League Soccer with Inter Miami. During a match between Al-Nassr and Al-Shabab, though, fans of the latter chanted Messi's name in an apparent effort to rile up the Portugal forward.
Rather than ignoring the behaviour, Ronaldo cupped his hand to his ear before delivering an obscene gesture. A number of fans saw it as a bizarre move from the 39-year-old, who is in his first full season in Saudi Arabia after joining midway through the 2022-23 campaign.
"Is this not beneath Ronaldo at this point?" one Lionel Messi fan asked on social media. "He has five Champions Leagues and is so concerned about Shabab?"
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Some made reference to Ronaldo's age, describing his behaviour as "immature". Others queried whether the Saudi football authorities might take action against the veteran for his actions.
Things went better for the former Manchester United star when it came to events on the pitch. Ronaldo scored from the penalty spot - the sixth straight league game in which he has netted - before an Anderson Talisca brace helped Al-Nassr win 3-2.
What did you make of Cristiano Ronaldo's behaviour? Have your say in the comments section
Cristiano Ronaldo responded after rival fans chanted Lionel Messi's name (NOT_MOTD/X)
Some have criticised the Portugal forward for his behaviour (NOT_MOTD/X)Whatever Ronaldo feels about Messi these days, the Argentine made it clear in 2015 that he'd have loved to be on the same side as his rival one day. "I always like to play with the best, and he is one of them," he said.
"I think it will be difficult for us to play in the same team, but obviously I would like to. I was lucky enough to play and participate with many very good players and, obviously, I would also like to do it with him."
Ronaldo and Messi had been in line to face off - perhaps for the final time - when Al-Nassr took on Inter Miami in a friendly before the 2024 MLS season. However, Ronaldo missed out entirely through injury while Messi was restricted to a late cameo from the bench as a Talisca hat-trick set Al-Nassr on their way to a 6-0 win.
Ronaldo's team still have work to do to win the title this season, sitting four points adrift of the still-unbeaten Al-Hilal. Messi's team, who missed out on the MLS playoffs last season, preserved theri unbeaten start to the season on Sunday when Messi scored a last-minute equaliser against LA Galaxy.
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