Throughout his illustrious 20-year career, Cristiano Ronaldo has faced accusations of being a selfish player.
However, the iconic Portuguese forward exhibited his class during Al-Nassr’s 4-0 triumph against Al-Shabab in the Saudi Pro League on Tuesday.
In the match against Al-Shabab, the 38-year-old Ronaldo exhibited his prowess by converting two first-half penalties. He further contributed by assisting Sadio Mane, propelling Al-Nassr to a commanding 3-0 lead before halftime. Notably, Ronaldo had secured a hat-trick in a 5-0 victory over Al-Fateh merely four days prior.
During the game against Al-Shabab, Ronaldo had the chance to achieve consecutive hat-tricks when Al-Nassr was granted yet another penalty opportunity in the 63rd minute.
Not only was this an opportunity for Ronaldo to record a second straight hat-trick, but it was also a chance for him to notch his 850th career goal. Everyone watching expected him to place the ball on the spot; however, Ronaldo instead handed the ball to teammate Abdulrahman Ghareeb.
Ronaldo hands penalty to teammate
Abdulrahman Ghareeb, a Saudi Arabia international, had encountered a goal drought in the early stages of the new season, failing to score in his first three appearances.
Recognizing his teammate’s need for a goal, Ronaldo chose not to pursue his own hat-trick and instead prioritized assisting Ghareeb in finding the back of the net.
In response to this selfless act, Al-Nassr fans expressed their sentiments clearly from the stands of Al-Awwal Park in Riyadh. They voiced their desire to witness Ronaldo secure a hat-trick and displayed discontent with Ghareeb taking the penalty kick.
After hearing the fans’ lack of support for Ghareeb, Ronaldo and Mane both made gestures towards the crowd, instructing them to get behind their teammate. However, there were still audible groans and jeers as Ghareeb stepped up to take the penalty.
What happened next?
What happened next? Well, Al-Nassr’s fans were even unhappier moments later as Ghareeb hit the post. He then took some touches before sticking the ball in the net, but the goal didn’t count. If a penalty hits the post without touching another player, the taker cannot score a goal from the rebound.
Ronaldo then gave some words of encouragement to the unfortunate Ghareeb, who must have felt like he wanted the ground to swallow him up. Watch the footage below:
What happened next?
What happened next? Well, Al-Nassr’s fans were even unhappier moments later as Ghareeb hit the post. He then took some touches before sticking the ball in the net, but the goal didn’t count. If a penalty hits the post without touching another player, the taker cannot score a goal from the rebound.
Ronaldo then gave some words of encouragement to the unfortunate Ghareeb, who must have felt like he wanted the ground to swallow him up. Watch the footage below:
The Al-Nassr fans were not happy with Ghareeb taking the penalty over Ronaldo.
But Cristiano and Mané told them to support him. pic.twitter.com/SGcIlGdM69
— TC (@totalcristiano) August 29, 2023