Cristiano Ronaldo cleared of making offensive gesture during Al-Nassr match — here's the explanation

Cristiano Ronaldo states that his gesture is a “misunderstanding.”

Portuguese player Cristiano Ronaldo has addressed the controversial gesture he made during a recent match in the Saudi Pro League for the first time. Ronaldo referred to his action as a “misunderstanding” and acknowledged it as a “mistake,” as reported by Wion.

During Al-Nassr’s 3-2 victory, Ronaldo responded to Al-Shabab supporters chanting Lionel Messi’s name by making a gesture, which he later described as a misunderstanding, in a news conference.

“I take this opportunity to address the incident for which I was penalized in a match. What happened was a misunderstanding. While I always strive to respect the cultures of all countries, sometimes perceptions can differ from reality,” Ronaldo explained.

He reiterated that the gesture was not intentional, emphasizing that such actions occur inadvertently from time to time. “Whenever I make mistakes, it’s never intentional. Every day, I strive to become a better person,” he stated.

Regarding future conduct, Ronaldo refrained from making specific promises. “I cannot guarantee perfection because I am human. Life is a journey filled with learning from mistakes. However, I can assure you that I am a player who gives his all on the field, fueled by passion and a relentless desire to win,” he added.

In addition to a one-match ban imposed for the gesture, Ronaldo was fined 10,000 Saudi riyals ($2,666) by a disciplinary committee. He was required to pay 20,000 riyals to Al-Shabab to cover the costs associated with filing the complaint. The committee clarified that there is no avenue for appealing this decision.