Cristiano Ronaldo was taunted by opposition fans during Al-Nassr‘s 1-0 defeat by Al-Ittihad on Thursday night, in reference to his long-time on-field rival Lionel Messi.
As the title race in the Saudi Pro League starts to heat up, it was a frustrating night for the Portuguese superstar, whose side were dealt a crushing blow just ten minutes from time.
Romarinho’s composed finish proved the difference between the two sides, with the Brazilian taking the ball in his stride to send Al-Ittihad clear of Al-Nassr at the top of the league by a point.
Despite scoring eight goals in his last seven games, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner could not steer his side to victory, notably striking a wild free-kick way over the bar in the second half, epitomising a frustrating evening, with Ronaldo walking from the field before kicking a water bottle off the pitch.
And fans inside stadium, not for the first time this season, were quick to taunt the Portuguese superstar, with chants of ‘Messi, Messi’ ringing out around the pitch as Ronaldo walked down the tunnel.
Cristiano Ronaldo was taunted with cries of ‘Messi, Messi’ during Al-Nassr’s loss on Thursday
His side went 1-0 down to rivals Al-Ittihad with Ronaldo kicking a water bottle in frustration
Cheers of his rival Lionel Messi’s (pictured) name rang around the stadium as he walked off
Earlier this week, the former Real Madrid and Manchester United forward was also taunted by a young heckler who shouted ‘Lionel Messi is better’ in the tunnel during Al-Nassr’s 3-1 win against Al-Batin.
While both players are nearing the ends of their careers, there is continual back and forth debate around who is better, a debate that will certainly never be settled.
The Argentine World Cup winner featured in Paris Saint-Germain’s 3-0 Champions League defeat by Bayern Munich on Wednesday, with Jamie Carragher claiming that this ‘could be the last time’ we see the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner play in the European Cup.
Interestingly, it was also revealed on Thursday that Messi will visit Saudi Arabia for a third time in less than a year as a tourism ambassador.
That has sparked much speculation, that he could be about to join the Pro League alongside Ronaldo, who moved to the Middle East earlier this year for a record £172m-per-year deal after his unsavoury exit from Manchester United.
Ronaldo, meanwhile, will look to help his side climb back to the top of the league as Al-Nassr return to action next Saturday against 11th placed side Abha, who have not won in four games.
source: dailymail.co.uk
