The aftermath of Cristiano Ronaldo’s exultation during a recent Al-Nassr triumph has sparked an intense online dispute.
Central to the escalating discourse is an incident from the recent AFC Champions League qualifier, featuring Al-Nassr and their victorious bout against Shabab Al-Ahli. In this contest, the 95th-minute spotlight fell on Talisca, who secured Al-Nassr’s third goal with a header.
Notably, as the ball found the net, Ronaldo raised a solitary hand in a celebratory gesture. His gaze was directed towards the linesman, seemingly seeking affirmation that the goal stood unaffected by an offside call.
This seemingly innocuous reaction provided the fuel for social media’s furnace, igniting a fervent debate. A subset of fans, likely aligned with Lionel Messi’s fan base seized the opportunity to twist the narrative.
Ronaldo calling offside on his own teammate's last minute goal 😭pic.twitter.com/JzJE99qMTd
— Ankur (@AnkurMessi_) August 22, 2023
Their discourse suggested that the Portuguese striker was appealing for an offside verdict against his teammate. This insinuation portrayed Ronaldo as a glory-seeker, allegedly unwilling to share the limelight even in the face of a crucial winning goal by his fellow player.
Yet, this attempt to provoke engagement proved feeble. The majority of fans swiftly countered the skewed portrayal. These voices of reason dispelled the misconception. Thus, clarifying that Ronaldo’s raised hand was simply an expression of celebration for the goal.
Well, do what you gotta do to get views Loser
— Paulison (@Paulison73066) August 22, 2023
Such instances underscore the propensity of soccer enthusiasts on social media to embellish or distort occurrences to generate interaction. These occurrences, reminiscent of previous incidents, raise questions about the authenticity of online sports discourse.
The unusual celebration of Cristiano Ronaldo
Ronaldo’s recurrent portrayal of signaling offside on his own teammates is not a new narrative. What draws concern is the seemingly uncomplicated celebration he employs. This unwittingly provides fodder for internet provocateurs to fashion a particular storyline.
How he marks a goal, extending a lone hand skyward while quickly glancing at the linesman, mirrors the contrasting reaction of defenders. The defenders also raised their hands in tandem with scrutinizing the linesman’s call to discern potential offside infringements.
The intent behind Ronaldo’s gesture remains uncertain—whether it is a deliberate act or a quirk of his distinctive style. Nonetheless, this act affords an opening for critics to cast him in the role of an unsupportive teammate.
Ronaldo is renowned for his insatiable goal-scoring appetite and has often faced accusations of snatching opportunities from his fellow players. A memorable instance from his stint at Real Madrid resurfaces, where he intercepted a potential goal-scoring chance from Gonzalo Higuain to tap the ball into an empty net but faltered in his attempt.
This here… https://t.co/1hp9Qz2Fy9 pic.twitter.com/PKhA0dxE6R
— Timmy not Timi (@timmy_lawal) August 17, 2023
Another scenario emerged during the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Ronaldo attempted to claim a goal that was awarded to Bruno Fernandes and stated that his hair made minuscule contact with the ball. Ronaldo disregarded the fact that the goal was rightfully attributed to his team.
https://twitter.com/f_c_slander/status/1693184866886553806
These episodes are mere fragments within a career spanning nearly two decades. In the extensive duration that Cristiano Ronaldo continues to grace the soccer stage, the label of an inconsiderate teammate is a refrain likely to be perpetuated by his detractors and online provocateurs. These trivial altercations divert attention away from his on-field accomplishments.