Video: Heartwarming As Ronaldo Gifts Penalty to Anderson Talisca to ‘Boost His Confidence’

• Cristiano Ronaldo effectively dispelled the long-standing 'selfish' tag on him with a heartwarming gesture
• The 38-year-old's stoppage time gesture has since caused tongues to wag on social media
• His ferocious freekick and Anderson Talisca's penalty sealed an epic fightback win for Al-Nassr

Cristiano Ronaldo has been singled out for praise following his decision to relinquish his penalty duties for Anderson Talisca.

The 38-year-old has often been branded as 'self-centred' and 'individualistic' but proved his critics wrong by gifting Talisca his penalty in Al-Nassr's comeback win against Abha on Saturday evening.

Before the stoppage time penalty, Ronaldo scored a thunderous freekick from 30+ yards to end his three-game scoreless streak to draw Al-Nassr level after falling behind early in the game.

Ronaldo gifts penalty

Presented with an opportunity to grab his brace and match-winner, the former Real Madrid goal-scoring machine passed on the chance to his strike partner, Talisca, who was returning from injury, per Eurosport.

Watch Ronaldo's jaw dropping freekick which inspired Al-Nassr to fightback win

Football

The Brazilian, formerly of Besiktas, made no mistake from the penalty spot as he expertly dispatched his effort from 12 yards, taking his tally to 14 goals, according to Transfermarkt.

Watch Talisca's penalty:

How fans reacted?

Ronaldo's decision to pass on a penalty to Talisca has warmed the hearts of social media users.

Below are some of the comments:

@YashRMFC tweeted:

"Cristiano Ronaldo let Talisca take the penalty. Who's after the golden boot. But I'm supposed to believe Ronaldo is selfish. Captain."

@AKMLEVI47 believes Ronaldo's penalty gesture underlines his humility:

"CRISTIANO GIVES THE PENALTY TO TALISCA, WHO SCORES! Humble!"

@IconicCristiano, on the other hand, saluted the leadership instincts of Cristiano:

"Talisca is running for the golden boot currently was the second top goal scorer until Captain Ronaldo decided to let him take the penalty to take the first spot again. That’s my captain."

Cristiano Ronaldo inspires Al-Nassr to dramatic comeback win with wonder freekick

Football

@cr7stianos took a swipe at critics of the ex-Manchester United ace:

"But but… I thought Ronaldo didn’t let anyone else take penalties."

@Crhedrys added:

"Ronaldo just scored a stunning Freekick and then gave the Penalty to Talisca to secure the golden boot race for him. Talk about being a leader! Talk about being the Greatest of ALL TIME!"

Ronaldo scores rocket-like freekick

Meanwhile, Sports Brief reported that Cristiano Ronaldo arrested his mini goal-scoring drought with aplomb, helping Al-Nassr seal a dramatic fightback victory against Abha on Saturday evening.

The former Manchester United and Real Madrid goal-scoring machine blasted home a long-range freekick, ending his three-game barren run in the process.

The five-time Ballon d'Or winner fired home a bullet-like freekick to spearhead the fightback in the 79th minute.