Cristiano Ronaldo appeared to restrain himself after he raised his fist towards the referee in a defeat for Al-Nassr on Monday.
The Portugal superstar was sent off for throwing an elbow towards his opponent and almost took his anger out on the match official.
Al-Hilal were leading 2-0 at the time in the Saudi Arabian Super Cup match thanks to goals from Salem Al Dawsari and Malcom.
And Ronaldo seemed to lose it in the 86th minute in an altercation with opposition centre-back Ali Al-Bulaihi.
Cristiano Ronaldo appeared to restrain himself from punching a referee
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Replays show Al-Bulaihi tried to take the ball and prevent Ronaldo from taking a quick throw-in.
The former Manchester United striker reacted by aggressively moving his elbow towards his opponent.
Ronaldo first struck Al-Bulaihi around his stomach area before doing the same action higher on his chest.
Al-Bulaihi hit the ground and other players surrounded the duo, including former Premier League stars Kalidou Koulibaly and Sadio Mane.
Referee Mohammed Khaled Al-Hoaish saw the incident and brandished a straight red card to Ronaldo.
The 39-year-old clearly took exception to the decision, gesturing as if he was going to throw a punch, or punch the ball, in the direction of the official.
Ronaldo also gestured towards the crowd to show his frustration as he made his way off the pitch following the controversial moment.
Mane scored a late goal for Al-Nassr in stoppage time but couldn't prevent his team from losing the match 2-1.
Ronaldo had been given a yellow card earlier in the match for protesting a disallowed goal.
Fans took to social media to criticise the Real Madrid legend after his sending-off.
One wrote: "WORST SIGNING EVER BY AL NASSR."
Another posted: "Right now he’s just like a clown making us laugh every time."
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Cristiano Ronaldo held himself back after being sent off
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A third put: "Someone tell Ronaldo Wrestlemania was yesterday."
While a fourth wrote: "Always playing a victim when things are not going his way we’ve seen this victim card before nothing new here."
Some fans are hoping Ronaldo gets a lengthy ban for the incident.
One put: "If it was Europe, Ronaldo would be banned for at least 5 matches.. you are here saying corrupt referee. He deserved two red cards."
Cristiano Ronaldo was sent off for throwing an elbow towards his opponent
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Another wrote: "A 10 match ban would be fitting."
Ronaldo joined Al-Nassr last year following his exit from United in late 2022.
He has scored 50 goals in 55 games in all competitions for the Saudi Pro League side.
It isn't the first time he has landed himself in hot water, having been given a one-game ban in February for appearing to make an obscene gesture.
