Cristiano Ronaldo breaks silence after turning down Al-Nassr penalty as neck injury update provided
Cristiano Ronaldo turned down a penalty during Al-Nassr's draw with Persepolis on Monday night
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Cristiano Ronaldo has broken his silence after turning down a penalty in Al-Nassr's goalless draw with Persepolis on Monday night.
The veteran went down in the second minute of the match, with the referee pointing to the penalty spot.
However, Ronaldo immediately wagged his finger at the official and was seen mouthing 'no pen'.
A VAR check then followed and the penalty decision was overturned.
His actions came back to bite him, with Al-Nassr failing to win their Asian Champions League clash.
They remain top of their group having won four of their five matches in the competition so far.
And Ronaldo has now broken his silence by posting to Instagram with a message to his team-mates.
"Happy we qualified 1st in our group and to have achieved 20 games unbeaten," he said.
"Great Teamwork @alnassr."
Fans on social media have lavished praise on Ronaldo for turning down a penalty, with one user aiming a dig at Lionel Messi and saying: "Cristiano did not steal a penalty kick. I know someone who stole 8 golden balls and was not ashamed."
A second said: "All Respect for you Cristiano for that penalty."
"Unreal sportsmanship," were the simple words of a third fan.
A fourth weighed in by saying: "Respect!!! This guy is winning me over on a daily basis."
And a fifth praised Ronaldo by saying: "What a man!
"This is the kind of mentality that separates him. Ronaldo is the best both in attitude and character.
"Rarely do you see Ronaldo fighting with the young stars demanding unnecessary respect and honour.
"Respect is earned. Thank you for demonstrating honesty and morality. You are the authentic GOAT."
Al-Nassr did suffer a scare, however, with Ronaldo forced out of the match with a neck problem.
The Saudi Pro League side will be hoping he's available for Friday's crunch match with Al-Hilal.
Yet manager Luis Castro is hopeful he'll be fit and available for that match.
“The medical team is studying the injury and will do everything to make sure he is ready for the next game," he said.
Al-Hilal currently sit top of the Saudi Pro League.
They have won 12 of their 14 matches so far, despite missing Neymar for most of the campaign.
The Brazil international joined Al-Hilal from Paris Saint-Germain back in the summer transfer window.
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Cristiano Ronaldo suffered a neck injury ahead of Al-Nassr's clash with Al-Hilal
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Yet Neymar has made just five appearances for his new employers so far, netting once and clocking up two assists.
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