Cristiano Ronaldo struggles to contain his emotions after more Lionel Messi taunts during Al Nassr defeat

Cristiano Ronaldo could not contain his emotions after again receiving Lionel Messi taunts as Al Nassr lost to Al Ain in the AFC Champions League.

Soufiane Rahimi scored the only goal of the game, with Aymeric Laporte being sent off in the 94th minute.

Ronaldo had a number of opportunities to score and nearly levelled matters with a stunning strike from the halfway line in stoppage time.

The five-time Ballon d'Or winner was once again subjected to taunts about long-time rival Messi before, during and after the game from the home supporters.

He reacted angrily in the 3-2 win over Al Shabab and an obscene gesture resulted in him being banned for one league game and fined £4,190 by the Saudi Arabia Football Federation.

Ronaldo was clearly frustrated again as he headed down the tunnel, cracking a smile and laugh that was almost sarcastic.

He also put up his thumbs up to the crowd, who he had appeared to applaud pre-match.

It was a tone-down reaction to previous antics, with Ronaldo rubbing his crotch on an Al Hilal scarf after a Riyadh Season Cup defeat and looking to have grabbed his crotch after being goaded about Messi last year.

Ronaldo has been in fine form for his side this season, scoring 28 times and assisting a further 11 goals in 30 appearances in all competitions.

Al Nassr will look to get back to winning ways on Thursday when they return to action in the Saudi Pro League, hosting Al Raed at Al Awwal Park.

Ronaldo was recently told to "shut up" by former France defender Frank Leboeuf, in response to his comments about the level of the Saudi Pro League.

He had said that the division he plays in is better than Ligue One, France's top flight.

"It annoys me when I hear Cristiano Ronaldo saying that the Saudi Pro League is better than Ligue 1," the World Cup winner told BetVictor.

"Why do you think he chose to make that comment about Ligue 1 rather than the Portuguese League?

"It’s because Lionel Messi played in Ligue 1. I have lots of respect for him as a player but come on, just shut up! It is unfair to Ligue 1."

Featured Image Credit: X/@11l_p

Topics: Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Al Nassr, Saudi Arabia, Saudi Pro League

Josh Lawless

Josh is a sports journalist who specialises in football and wrestling. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has interviewed some of the biggest names in the field - including the first UK interview with The Hardy Boyz after their return to WWE. He has never sported a pair of Lonsdale Slip-ons, contrary to reports.

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