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Cristiano Ronaldo Faces Two-Game Suspension After Red Card in Saudi Super Cup Semifinals
Renowned footballer Cristiano Ronaldo is now at risk of a two-game suspension following his first red card in Saudi Arabia during a match between Al-Nassr and Al-Hilal in the Saudi Super Cup semifinals.
The incident occurred in the 86th minute of the game, with the five-time Ballon D’Or recipient elbowing an opponent, Al-Hilal defender Ali Al-Bulaihi, leading to his dismissal. Reports from Saudi Arabia suggest that further disciplinary action may be taken against the 39-year-old athlete for seemingly taunting the referee as he exited the field in Abu Dhabi on Monday.
Al-Hilal coach Jorge Jesus expressed respect for Ronaldo, recognizing him as a significant figure in the world of soccer. Jesus praised Ronaldo’s strength and influence, referring to him as an inspirational individual. However, the coach also noted Ronaldo’s struggle with maintaining composure in the face of defeat due to his lack of familiarity with losing.
During Ronaldo’s expulsion from the game, Al-Nassr was trailing 2-0 following goals by Salem Al-Dawsari and Malcom, which gave Al-Hilal a firm lead. Although Senegalese player Sadio Mane managed to score a goal in added time for Al-Nassr, Al-Hilal successfully secured their spot in the final against Al-Ittihad, scheduled to take place in Abu Dhabi on Thursday.
Notably, the Saudi Super Cup underwent a format change in 2023, expanding from a single match between the league champion and King’s Cup victor to incorporate the runners-up from both tournaments. Despite this being Ronaldo’s initial red card, he had previously faced a one-game suspension in February for an alleged offensive gesture made during a Saudi Pro League match against Al-Shabab.
At present, Ronaldo leads the league’s goal-scoring chart with 29 goals, a notable achievement placing him seven goals ahead of Al-Hilal’s Aleksandar Mitrovic. Al-Nassr currently holds the second position in the Saudi Pro League standings, trailing Al-Hilal by 12 points with seven matches left in the season.
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