Ex-teammate Luis Gustavo dubs Cristiano Ronaldo a ‘role model’ despite potential suspension over controversial ‘Messi chants’

Cristiano Ronaldo is in trouble with the SAFF thanks to an offensive gesture he made after fans chanted Lionel Messi's name.


Ex-teammate Luis Gustavo dubs Cristiano Ronaldo a ‘role model’ despite potential suspension over controversial ‘Messi chants’

Cristiano Ronaldo and Luiz Gustavo (via GOAL and Yenicag Gazetese)

Recently, Cristiano Ronaldo got in trouble with the Saudi Arabian Football Federation. During Al Nassr’s match with Al Shadab, the fans taunted the 39-year-old by chanting “Messi Messi”. Not taking it well, the Portuguese made an offensive gesture, which left many fans fuming. 

Now with a possible 2-match suspension looming over his head, which could see him missing a SPL and Champions League fixture, a former teammate has come out to defend him. Luis Gustavo, who joined Al Nassr in July 2022, claimed Ronaldo is a “role model” and an inspiration to the younger generation. Here is what Gustavo had to say (via CristianoXtra on X):

Cristiano Ronaldo is truly an example and a role model. He is an inspiration to the new generation without a doubt. We will miss the kind of players like him with his career, his mentality, his discipline and his love not only for football, but for his well-being, which is very important to him. He is an intelligent man, he knows that he is not just an ordinary person.
Luis Gustavo on Cristiano Ronaldo
YouTube video

Gustavo, who used to play for Bayern Munich, VFL Wolfsburg and Marseille, shared the dressing room with Ronaldo for a year. Ronaldo joined Al Nassr six months after the Brazilian midfielder, and the two played alongside for a year. 

FS Video

Cristiano Ronaldo defends his “offensive gesture” 

Cristiano Ronaldo is facing flak from fans around the world. His reaction to fans taunting him using Lionel Messi’s name didn’t make the 39-year-old happy and he showed it. Now it has landed him in trouble, the SAFF ready to suspend and fine him for two matches. 

Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo believes his gesture was not “offensive” (Images via X)

Ronaldo has come out and defended his actions in an interview with Al Riyadiya, claiming he respected each club. He further claimed that the gesture he did was common in Europe and didn’t mean to hurt any sentiments.

I respect all clubs... and the movement in the shot expresses strength and victory, and is not disgraceful, and we are accustomed to it in Europe.
Cristiano Ronaldo to Al Riyadiya

Al Nassr are currently seven points behind the table topper Al Hilal. They finished 2nd the previous season, just five points behind Al Ittihad. If Ronaldo does get banned, he will miss matches against Al Hazm in the SPL and Al Ain in the AFC Champions League. He currently is the highest goal scorer in the league, with 22 goals.

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