Cristiano Ronaldo made his feelings clear during Al-Nassr’s latest victory as tensions from earlier comments carried into a heated encounter.
The Portuguese forward played a key role as his side beat Al-Ahli 2-0, moving closer to the first domestic title since his arrival in Saudi Arabia.
The match already had an edge before kick-off. Recent remarks from Ivan Toney about officiating in the Saudi Pro League had created friction, and both sides brought that intensity onto the pitch.
Ronaldo did not just contribute on the scoresheet. He also made a statement during the celebrations.
After Al-Nassr’s second goal, he joined his teammates and directed his reaction towards Ivan Toney, who had earlier questioned the league’s refereeing standards.
The situation escalated again after full-time. A foul involving Kingsley Coman sparked a confrontation, with around ten players getting involved.
Tempers flared as both teams clashed in the closing moments of the game. Toney’s camp had already stirred the debate earlier this month.
After a 1-1 draw against Al-Fayha, Toney voiced frustration over penalty decisions and hinted at bias. He said:
“We know who. Who are we chasing?”
Meanwhile, Ronaldo had already addressed the criticism. Speaking after the game, he defended the league and urged players to change their approach. He said (via Fabrizio Romano):
“I see many bad things. Many players complain, speak about referees, post on social media.
“This is NOT the goal of the Saudi Pro League.
“We should stop this if we want to compete with the best European leagues.”
Ronaldo also taunted Al-Ahli supporters during the match by holding up five fingers, referencing his Champions League titles.
His focus, however, remains on the title race. Al-Nassr have now won 20 consecutive matches and sit 8 points clear at the top.
With only four games remaining, they are close to securing the championship. Also, Ronaldo has scored 970 career goals, including 126 for Al-Nassr.
However, he still trails Ivan Toney by two goals in the league scoring charts this season, which adds another layer to their ongoing rivalry.
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