Ronaldo forced to respond as opponent teases Al-Nassr star with Champions League medal

News

Martin Macdonald | Author

There was chaos in the Saudi Pro League on Wednesday following the huge clash between Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr and title challengers Al-Ahli.

Al-Nassr are now fully in the driving seat in the championship race after Ronaldo and Kingsley Coman both scored in a 2-0 victory over Al-Ahli. The win put them eight points clear of rivals Al-Hilal with four matches remaining in the 2025/26 season.

Towards the end of the game, Coman avoided a red card after a robust challenge on Al-Ahli defender Merih Demiral, who didn't take too kindly to the tackle as a melee ensued.

Demiral, complaining that referees were supposedly once again favouring Ronaldo and Al-Nassr, took out his Asian Champions League winners' medal and paraded it to the Al-Nassr fans.

Al-Ahli recently won the Champions League by defeating Japanese outfit FC Machida Zelvi, to defend their continental title.

𝗖’𝗘𝗦𝗧 𝗗𝗜𝗡𝗚𝗨𝗘𝗘𝗘𝗘𝗘𝗘 ! 😱

Merih Demiral qui s’en prend à Kingsley Coman à cause d’un tacle en fin de match…

Ivan Toney qui donne rendez-vous à Nawaf Boushal dans les couloirs pour se battre…

pic.twitter.com/nYqY36dVRo https://t.co/8yiDk1dg32

— SPL 🇸🇦 (@ActuSPL) April 29, 2026

He would later post on social media:

"For the first time, there’s a Champions League medal in their stadium"

Ronaldo, who scored the 970th goal of his career in the game, was interviewed afterwards and something or someone apparently caught his eye.

He took to responding to Demiral's Asian Champions League medal by holding up five fingers, referring to his five UEFA Champions League victories with Manchester United and Real Madrid.

"I have five," he said to someone behind the camera.

Demiral then suggested that Ronaldo show humility like his great rival, Lionel Messi.

"He is a great player, but he has always been complex and has needed to put others down to stand out... Look at Messi," he said, as quoted by AS.

"He has eight golden balls and all the soccer records. Have you ever seen him brag about that? No... When he is in the field, he treats everyone the same way and that is why he is the best. Cristiano should be inspired by him."

Interestingly, Ronaldo and Demiral were team-mates at Juventus but it appears there is no love lost between the pair.

Are referees favouring Al-Nassr?

Demiral and team-mates Ivan Toney and Galeno have all suggested recently that referees are giving preferential treatment.

Following Al-Ahli's loss, Galeno posted on social media:

"Hand over the trophy, that's what they want, they want to knock us out of the Championship by any means necessary, they want to hand the trophy to one person, a total lack of respect for our club."

The standard of refereeing has been an overall concern in the Saudi Pro League this season, with various pundits, managers and players all responding negatively to a raft of decisions on the pitch.

Al-Ahli previously suffered damage to their championship ambitions when they only managed a 1-1 draw against Al-Fayha.

Al-Ahli believe they should have been awarded a number of penalties during the game and at least two were waved away by VAR despite the protests of the players.

TONEY JUST SAID THIS… 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

“The referee told us after the match… ‘Focus on the Asian Champions League.’

How does a referee say something like that? His head is somewhere else. I hope it was recorded and gets released.”

Asked who benefits?
Toney: “The team we’re chasing.” pic.twitter.com/eqKfhUBrZb

— All About SPL 🔔 🇸🇦 (@Saudifutbol) April 8, 2026

oney, who had given his side the lead before they were pegged back, didn't hold back in his appraisal of the officiating.

"Two of these actions went to VAR and one didn’t. It’s actually crazy how you can miss things like this in crucial moments or choose to turn a blind eye," he wrote on social media.

"And without saying too much that may get me in trouble, it’s clear what’s being influenced here!!!

"Also with the referee telling us to concentrate on a different competition whilst VAR is going on is beyond me.

"And to add with the referee agreeing that the first one was a penalty in the 90+ minute like that’s going to help. But listen, I guess I’m probably the bad guy for speaking some truths and pointing out questionable decisions or s*** refereeing."

The draw saw Al-Ahli miss the chance to cut the gap on Saudi Pro League leaders Al-Nassr to two points.

The club, too, released a statement condemning the poor refereeing"

"Al Ahli Club Company expresses its deep dissatisfaction with the refereeing errors that affected today's match of the first football team against Al Fayha in Round 29 of the Saudi Roshn League. The referee's decisions had a direct impact on the flow of the game and its final outcome, which in turn affected the team's position in the title race.

"Such errors raise legitimate concerns regarding the referee selection process and the criteria applied, particularly given the high technical and competitive level of the Saudi Roshn League. The team has faced unfair refereeing decisions, an unacceptable situation that neither serves the development of the competition nor upholds the principle of competitive fairness, which must be the foundation of any successful tournament.

If you don’t understand what’s happening in Saudi League, players are accusing the league of rigging it so bad, so that Ronaldo could win the league.

If you watched Al Nassr’s last game and you see the penalty given, you’ll further understand.

There’s also been many wrong… https://t.co/NzsXMdZK8g

— TobyWrites (@tobyasky) April 9, 2026

"Al-Ahli Club Company calls for access to the recordings and communications between the referees and the Video Assistant Referee (VAR), as well as their interactions with the team's players during the match. It also requests clear explanations for all refereeing incidents where decisions were not correctly made.

"In closing, Al Ahli Club Company reaffirms its confidence in the commitment of the relevant authorities to safeguarding the integrity of the competition and taking the necessary practical steps that reflect the high standing the Saudi Roshn League has reached."

Since moving to the Saudi Pro League and becoming the highest-paid athlete on planet earth, Ronaldo is yet to deliver a title for the club.

The FootballTransfers app

Check out FootballTransfers' new app for all of football's big storylines, transfer rumours and exclusive news in one convenient place directly on your mobile device.

The FootballTransfers app is available in the Apple App Store. Download here:

•App Store

Written by

Martin Macdonald | Author

Martin Macdonald is an experienced digital journalist who has significant expertise in a number of different genres, including his work on FootballTransfers.

View full bio