Cristiano Ronaldo: Boos and Cheers Ring Out As CR7’s Name Is Announced Ahead of Riyadh Derby

• Cristiano Ronaldo was greeted with cheers and boos ahead of the Riyadh Derby
• Al-Hilal took on Al-Nassr in a top-of-the-table clash in the Saudi Pro League
• Al-Hilal ran out 3-0 winners in the Riyadh derby to extend their lead at the top

There’s no denying that Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the most popular footballers in the world.

The Portuguese superstar either attracts cheers or boos, depending on where he is, and that was the case ahead of the Riyadh derby.

Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr side were taking on Al-Hilal, the team at the top of the Saudi Pro League.

With excitement building for the big game, the team lists were announced in the stadium, and Ronaldo’s name got the biggest pop. While AL-Nassr fans cheered when they heard his name, there were also a lot of boos as well from the opposition fans.

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Football

Al-Nassr aim to catch Al-Hilal

While it is a derby game, the match between the two sides is about more than just bragging rights.

Prior to the start of the game, Al-Hilal topped the table, leading their rivals by four points. They have yet to taste defeat in the Saudi Pro League and have won 12 of their 14 games. Al-Nassr, on the other hand, have lost two games and won 11 games.

Sadly for Ronaldo's side, they were beaten by their rivals 3-0 in the top-of-the-table clash. Sergej Milinkovic-Savic opened the scoring before Aleksandar Mitrovic grabbed two late goals to give their side a big win.

Luis Castro protests Ronaldo's disallowed goal

Sports Brief also reported that Al-Nassr manager Luis Castro employed an unconventional strategy to dispute Cristiano Ronaldo's disallowed goal against Al-Hilal during the Riyadh Derby.

After Sadio Mane delivered a precise cross to Ronaldo, resulting in a left-footed equalizer, the assistant referee flagged it as offside, abruptly halting the celebration.

Seeking to contest the decision, Castro approached the referee, arguing against the offside call, vouching for Ronaldo's positioning during the goal-scoring play.