Cristiano Ronaldo has received massive plaudits globally for his sportsmanlike conduct during Al Nassr's Asian Champions League game against Persepolis.
The encounter played on Monday, November 27, 2023, ended 0-0 with Luis Castro's side dropping points for the first time in the competition this campaign.
However, the biggest highlight of the game was in the 2nd minute of proceedings, when Senegal international Sadio Mane delivered a telling cross into the box of Persepolis.
The cross met Ronaldo in the box, and the Portuguese unleashed an effort at goal, but his attempt was blocked, and he tried to get the second ball.
The 38-year-old's foot nearly struck the ball but he went down to the turf moments before he could get his leg to the ball.
Following his fall to the turf, the referee in charge of the game signaled for a penalty, with players of Persepolis shocked by the decision.
Cristiano Ronaldo immediately got up and dashed towards the referee gesturing that the penalty should be overturned.
Subsequent footage of the incident have shown that indeed, there was no contact between the Persepolis player and Ronaldo.
The highest earner currently in football has been praised across the world for his sportsmanship and how he went about it.
Meanwhile, VAR could have rectified the decision despite Cristiano Ronaldo's actions as the technology is in use for the Asian Champions League.
It is worth noting though, that with the Video Assistant Refereeing technology, one can't be sure what decision would have been taken, and as such, huge credit must go to Ronaldo.
Al Nassr completed the game against Persepolis with 10 men, after defender Ali Lajami was dismissed in the 17th minute of the game.
The Knights of Najd as aforementioned settled for a nil-nil draw with their Iranian opposition, and Cristiano Ronaldo's penalty, if it had gone other ways, could have rightly decided the outcome.
Luis Castro's side lost their 100% group stage record in the competition, though they remain unbeaten. This is the first game they will drop points in 5 matches.
Al Nassr have won 4 games and drawn 1 in 5 matches, amassing 13 points thus far, which has earned them progress to the next round of the competition.
They return to action on Friday, December 1, 2023, in a crunch tie against league leaders Al Hilal, with their culminating game of the 2023/24 Asian Champions League group stage against FC Istiklol, to be played on Tuesday, December 5, 2023.
Meanwhile, Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 18 goals and provided 9 assists in 19 appearances for Al Nassr this campaign.
Cumulatively, the former Manchester United forward has scored 32 goals and provided 11 assists in 37 appearances for the Riyadh-based side.
The encounter played on Monday, November 27, 2023, ended 0-0 with Luis Castro's side dropping points for the first time in the competition this campaign.
However, the biggest highlight of the game was in the 2nd minute of proceedings, when Senegal international Sadio Mane delivered a telling cross into the box of Persepolis.
The cross met Ronaldo in the box, and the Portuguese unleashed an effort at goal, but his attempt was blocked, and he tried to get the second ball.
The 38-year-old's foot nearly struck the ball but he went down to the turf moments before he could get his leg to the ball.
Following his fall to the turf, the referee in charge of the game signaled for a penalty, with players of Persepolis shocked by the decision.
Cristiano Ronaldo immediately got up and dashed towards the referee gesturing that the penalty should be overturned.
Subsequent footage of the incident have shown that indeed, there was no contact between the Persepolis player and Ronaldo.
The highest earner currently in football has been praised across the world for his sportsmanship and how he went about it.
Meanwhile, VAR could have rectified the decision despite Cristiano Ronaldo's actions as the technology is in use for the Asian Champions League.
It is worth noting though, that with the Video Assistant Refereeing technology, one can't be sure what decision would have been taken, and as such, huge credit must go to Ronaldo.
Al Nassr completed the game against Persepolis with 10 men, after defender Ali Lajami was dismissed in the 17th minute of the game.
The Knights of Najd as aforementioned settled for a nil-nil draw with their Iranian opposition, and Cristiano Ronaldo's penalty, if it had gone other ways, could have rightly decided the outcome.
Luis Castro's side lost their 100% group stage record in the competition, though they remain unbeaten. This is the first game they will drop points in 5 matches.
Al Nassr have won 4 games and drawn 1 in 5 matches, amassing 13 points thus far, which has earned them progress to the next round of the competition.
They return to action on Friday, December 1, 2023, in a crunch tie against league leaders Al Hilal, with their culminating game of the 2023/24 Asian Champions League group stage against FC Istiklol, to be played on Tuesday, December 5, 2023.
Meanwhile, Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 18 goals and provided 9 assists in 19 appearances for Al Nassr this campaign.
Cumulatively, the former Manchester United forward has scored 32 goals and provided 11 assists in 37 appearances for the Riyadh-based side.