'Football Is Against Ronaldo': Fans React To 'Offside' Goal in Arab Cup

• Cristiano Ronaldo sparked controversy during Al-Nassr's Arab Cup clash with Al-Shorta
• The former Manchester United goal machine saw his goal ruled out as offside by the VAR
• The decision generated debate on social media with many feeling CR7 was hard done by

Cristiano Ronaldo's disallowed goal during the 2023 Arab Club Champions Cup semi-final against Al-Shorta on August 9 has ignited a surge of controversy.

The veteran, who has been in remarkable goal-scoring form, found the net for the fourth consecutive time in the tournament, only to have his effort disallowed.

Marcelo Brozovic expertly set up Ronaldo and the Portuguese maestro calmly finished the scoring chance, initiating celebrations with his teammates.

However, his elation was swiftly curtailed by the intervention of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR).

The incident prompted intense discussion online, with some alleging a conspiracy theory suggesting Ronaldo often finds himself on the unfavourable side of officiating decisions.

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More about the offside rule

According to Football Rules, a player is penalised if they are in an offside position the moment the ball is played or touched (deliberately or accidentally) by a teammate.

A player is considered to be in an offside position if any part of their body:

• Is situated in the opposing team's half (with the exception of the halfway line)
• Is positioned nearer to the opponent's goal line than both the second-to-last opponent (including the goalkeeper) and the ball.

It's important to note that the hands and arms of all players, including goalkeepers, are not taken into account when determining an offside position.

Ronaldo's 'offside' goal: Fans react

@the_marcoli_boy wrote:

"How is this an offside? Football is against Cristiano Ronaldo."

@ProudFede concurred:

"Everyone is against Ronaldo."

@DanielQuao12 disagreed with the offside call:

"This is not an offside."

@Drama_boi18 insists Ronaldo was not in an offside position:

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"That goal was clean."

@balbool23 said:

"Offside rule has to be the worst."

Ronaldo closer to 900 goals

Sports Brief also reported on the Portuguese veteran seeking to extend his world record and needing 59 more goals to hit a professional career goal tally of 900.

Ronaldo currently holds the scoring record for the most official goals by a footballer - 841 - and leads Lionel Messi as well as legends, Diego Maradona and Pele.