Despite Al Nassr ending a four-match winless skid with a 3-2 victory against Al Shabab on Saturday, Cristiano Ronaldo made headlines with a shove on goalkeeper Marcelo Grohe.
In the second minute, fellow Portuguese international João Félix’s cross was deflected into the back of the net, causing an own goal by left back Saad Balobaid.
Kingsley Coman doubled Al Nassr’s advantage, but Al Shabab managed to level the game at 2-2 with goal on either side of halftime.
Al Nassr did manage to find a winner through Abdulrahman Ghareeb, but Ronaldo’s actions after the 76th-minute goal caused major controversy.
After the goal, a running Ronaldo shoved Grohe’s head as the Brazilian was still on the ground.
رونالدو وقروهي 🤝#النصر_الشباب |#دوري_روشن_السعوديpic.twitter.com/0D8KZbbBj3
— رياضة ثمانية (@thmanyahsports) January 17, 2026
Moments later, after Grohe was complaining to the referee, the Al Nassr captain was seen laughing and pretending to cry.
While the match was still waiting to restart, Ronaldo and Grohe embraced each other, seemingly putting the incident to bed.
Al Nassr, which has not won the Saudi Pro League since Ronaldo’s arrival in 2023, sits four points behind Al Hilal for the top spot in the competition.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ronaldo shoves Al Shabab goalkeeper after Al Nassr goal
