Cristiano Ronaldo faces arrest, deportation from Saudi Arabia

Al-Nassr superstar Cristiano Ronaldo could be arrested and deported from Saudi Arabia after appearing to make an obscene gesture towards Al-Hilal fans during a heated Saudi Pro League encounter.

This was after Al-Nassr suffered a 2-0 defeat to their bitter rivals Al-Hilal and fell three points behind league leaders Al-Ittihad in the SPL title race.

The football Icon was angered by Al-Hilal who taunted him throughout the match with chants of Lionel Messi.

Ronaldo while walking off the King Fahd International Stadium, and with the chants of ‘Messi’ ringing louder in his ears, allegedly grabbed his genitals in reaction.

The Intention behind Ronaldo’s actions remains uncertain but a prominent lawyer and United Nations Commission on International Trade Law advisor, Nouf bin Ahmed said she has begun the move for Ronaldo’s arrest and deportation.

The prominent lawyer said she will be submitting a petition to the Public Ministry of Saudi Arabia.
“I don’t follow sports. Even if the crowd provoked Ronaldo, he didn’t know how to react. Cristiano’s behaviour is a crime,” she said, according to Fichajes.

“An indecent public act, which is one of the crimes that allows for arrest and deportation if committed by a foreigner. We will present a petition to the Public Ministry regarding the issue.”
Jesse Lingard has been pictured training with Saudi Pro League side Al-Ettifaq for the first time since the free agent arrived in the Kingdom in a bid to secure a new contract.

Underated stars who find their way to the top
Throughout football history, there have been instances where talented players found themselves overlooked at their previous clubs, only to thrive when given a fresh opportunity elsewhere. Here, we explore five such overlooked footballers who have since become world-beaters at new clubs:

5. Kevin De Bruyne
Belgium’s Kevin De Bruyne has established himself as one of the finest midfielders globally, showcasing his brilliance at Manchester City. However, his journey to stardom had humble beginnings at Chelsea, where he struggled to secure a regular spot in the starting lineup. It was at Wolfsburg in the Bundesliga that De Bruyne flourished, displaying his exceptional playmaking abilities. This eventually led him to his current club, Manchester City, where he has become an integral part of their success.

4. Achraf Hakimi

Achraf Hakimi, the Moroccan right-back, has emerged as one of the premier players in his position while representing Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). Despite beginning his career at Real Madrid and showing promise, competition for places limited his chances. A loan move to Borussia Dortmund proved transformative for Hakimi, where he excelled with impressive goal contributions. Subsequently, Inter Milan secured his services, and he played a pivotal role in their Serie A triumph. PSG then acquired Hakimi, recognizing his immense potential and versatility.

3. Mohamed Salah

Mohamed Salah’s remarkable journey from Chelsea to Liverpool highlights his transformation into one of the world’s top forwards. After his Chelsea stint, Salah embarked on a fruitful spell with AS Roma before joining Liverpool. At Anfield, he has been nothing short of sensational, consistently finding the back of the net and setting goal-scoring records. Salah’s achievements, including a UEFA Champions League triumph, have firmly established him as an elite footballer.

2. Martin Odegaard
Norwegian playmaker Martin Odegaard’s career trajectory took an unexpected turn after joining Real Madrid as a teenage prodigy. While high expectations surrounded him, Odegaard found playing time limited and was often sent on loan to different clubs. A pivotal move to Arsenal during the 2020–21 season transformed his career. Odegaard quickly endeared himself to Arsenal fans with his creative prowess and was signed permanently. His performances in the Premier League have solidified his reputation as one of the league’s most exciting talents.

1. Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo’s illustrious career includes stints at Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus. His return to Manchester United in the 2021–22 season was met with tremendous excitement. Ronaldo’s performances were impressive, earning him accolades and adoration from fans. However, changes within the club, including a new manager’s appointment, saw his playing time reduced. In January 2023, Ronaldo mutually terminated his contract and joined Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr. In Saudi Arabia, he has not only excelled on the pitch but also influenced the league’s transformation by attracting top talents like Neymar and Sadio Mane

Jesse Lingard news

The former Manchester United star played for Nottingham Forest last season but failed to make an impact in Steve Cooper’s side, registering just 17 league appearances during their 2022-23 campaign.

After opting not to extend his one-year contract over the summer, the 30-year-old has been without a club, but has been training with West Ham since the start of August.

David Moyes’ side ultimately chose not to re-sign the England international after a blistering half-season in 2021, prompting his move to Saudi at the start of this week.