Cristiano Ronaldo will earn his £6,000 fine handed out by the Saudi Football Federation in just 19 minutes thanks to his staggering £175million-a-year deal at Al-Nassr.
The Portuguese icon appeared to make an obsence gesture at the end of his club’s recent win against Al-Shabab in response to rival fans riling him up with chants of ‘Messi, Messi’ after the final whistle.
In footage circulating of the incident, the former Manchester United and Real Madrid star is seen cupping his ears before signalling towards his crotch.
Ronaldo was reportedly summoned by Saudi football chiefs to explain the gesture, which Spanish reports claim was seen as ‘immoral’ in the strictly religious Gulf state.
The committee have said that their decision is not subject to appeal, and that the 39-year-old would be forced to serve a one-match ban after a fine of 10,000 Saudi riyals (£2,107) to the Saudi Football Federation, and 20,000 riyals (£4,215) to Al-Shabab to cover the costs of the complainant filing fees.
Cristiano Ronaldo will be more than capable of paying off his £6,000 fine handed out by the Saudi Football Federation
The former Real Madrid star was penalised for an obscene gesture directed at the home fans of Al-Shabab.
Cristiano Ronaldo has been suspended for one match after making this gesture towards Al Shabab fans during a recent game…
Deserved? 😂 pic.twitter.com/6hc0ojrRNI
— Project Football (@ProjectFootball) February 29, 2024
But the sum may not have troubled the ex-Juventus forward, with his eye-popping wages meaning that the total could be earnt by Ronaldo in less than 20 minutes.
After his blockbuster move to the Kingdom in 2013, Ronaldo now earns £478,142 a day, and every passing hour is worth £19,922.
The superstar’s jaw-dropping total annual earnings – £218million, including sponsorships – make him the highest-paid athlete in world sport.
Ronaldo is trailed rival Lionel Messi, who came third in the standings with an annual income of £103m, and France captain Kylian Mbappe, who came fifth with a total earnings tally of £99.2m.
Before receiving the suspension on Thursday, Ronaldo came out defiant as he defended his actions in the heat of the moment.
‘I respect all clubs,’ Ronaldo said on Wedneday. And the joy after the (game) expresses strength and victory, and it is not shameful.
Ronaldo is the highest-paid athlete in world sport, pipping Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe
‘We are used to it in Europe.’
Ronaldo previously went unpunished shortly after his arrival at the club in April 2023 when he appeared to grab his crotch in response to fans shouting for Messi as he made his way down the tunnel after defeat to Al-Hilal.
Al-Nassr claimed the 3-2 victory on the road, lifting them within shooting distance of Saudi Pro League leaders Al-Hilal.
But Aleksandar Mitrovic’s side remain clear at the top on 59 points, seven ahead of their closest rivals.
