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Meet Saudi star Ronaldo elbowed, who has also riled Messi and Son Heung-min

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CRISTIANO RONALDO picked up the 12th red card of his lengthy career playing for Al-Nassr last night.

The legendary forward appeared to elbow Al-Hilal’s Ali Al-Bulayhi in the chest during last night’s 2-1 Saudi Super Cup defeat.

Ali Al-Bulayhi clashed with Cristiano Ronaldo AGAIN eiqdhidztirkprw
Ali Al-Bulayhi clashed with Cristiano Ronaldo AGAINCredit: Reuters
Ronnie saw red for appearing to elbow his foe in the chest during a Saudi clash
Ronnie saw red for appearing to elbow his foe in the chest during a Saudi clashCredit: Reuters
Al-Bulayhi has squared up to several of the world's top forwards
Al-Bulayhi has squared up to several of the world's top forwardsCredit: Getty

Al-Bulayhi appeared to square up to Ronnie beforehand, having already tried to stop him from taking a quick throw-in.

But it’s not the first time the feisty defender has clashed with Ronaldo.

And Al-Bulayhi has even tried to wind up several other superstars too — including Ronnie’s rival Lionel Messi.

Mirror Football's Premier League team of 2022 as champions dominateMirror Football's Premier League team of 2022 as champions dominate

The 34-year-old Saudi Arabian has spent his entire career in the country, knocking around the lower divisions with Al-Amal and Al-Nahda.

He finally got his big break in the top flight Saudi Pro League in 2015 with Al Fateh.

And in 2017 Al-Bulayhi was snapped up by giants Al-Hilal.

Little did he know they would become the powerhouse of the Saudi money revolution, bringing in superstars like Neymar, Ruben Neves, Kalidou Koulibaly, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, Malcom, Aleksandr Mitrovic, Yassine Bounou and Renan Lodi.

Al-Bulayhi is now one of the top homegrown players in the division with four titles and two Asian Champions Leagues to his name.

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But his fiery personality has also made headlines, with the centre-back not afraid to clash against the world’s best strikers.

Before last night’s encounter with Ronaldo, they collided last season in a heated encounter.


Al-Bulahyi took on Lionel Messi at the World Cup
Al-Bulahyi took on Lionel Messi at the World CupCredit: Getty
The pair went head-to-head before Saudi Arabia took a famous win against Argentina
The pair went head-to-head before Saudi Arabia took a famous win against ArgentinaCredit: Reuters

After various tussles, Ronnie ended up accusing Al-Bulayhi of play-acting.

And the defender was left seething after he ended up with two yellow cards to his name.

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But he got his revenge last night, with Ronaldo being sent off this time.

Al-Bulayhi has also gone up against Argentina legend Messi.

He even pulled Son Heung-Min's hair earlier this month
He even pulled Son Heung-Min's hair earlier this monthCredit: X
Ronaldo was sent off after his latest encounter with the defender
Ronaldo was sent off after his latest encounter with the defenderCredit: Reuters

The pair went head-to-head at the 2022 World Cup during the future winners’ shock 2-1 defeat to Saudi Arabia.

Al-Bulayhi and Messi engaged in a verbal battle, with the former saying: “You won’t win.”

His prediction certainly came true on the day as Saudi clinched a historic win, but it was Messi who had the last laugh as he led Argentina to victory in the final over France.

Al-Bulayhi also got on the wrong side of Tottenham fans earlier this year when Saudi Arabia played South Korea in the Asian Cup.

He shoved captain and talisman Son Heung-Min during one clash, with the striker refusing to take the bait.

Instead, Son smiled and exchanged pleasantries as he tried going about his business.

Al-Bulayhi then appeared to pull Son’s hair, but the forward once again kept his composure.

Anthony Chapman

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