Former Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo responded to Al Ahli fans with a gesture of five UCL titles following his side’s 2-0 win over league rivals Al Ahli. The game, which had its controversial moments, saw Ronaldo score his 970th career goal to seal victory and help his side move eight points clear of second-placed Al Hilal.
After the match, as Ronaldo attended to his post-match media duties, Al Ahli fans began mocking him and his club for their lack of major trophies. Al Ahli recently clinched their second AFC Champions League Elite title after beating Japanese side Machida Zelvia 1-0 after extra time. In contrast, Ronaldo’s club Al Nassr are still without a trophy since his arrival in 2023.
However, Ronaldo quickly responded to the chants with a five-finger hand gesture while shouting “Five UCLs” with a smile. “I’m five,” was heard in the now-viral video circulating on social media.
“I have five,” he said, referring to his UEFA Champions League titles. Ronaldo was part of the Real Madrid squad that completed the Champions League treble between 2016 and 2019. He won four Champions League titles with Real Madrid and one with Manchester United.
The moment immediately sparked widespread reactions online. Some fans defended Ronaldo and mocked Al Ahli supporters for targeting the Portuguese star, while others criticized the gesture as an unnecessary provocation. The incident added another layer of drama to an already heated rivalry between the clubs.
The controversy was fueled by Al Ahli defender and Turkey international Merih Demiral, who reportedly accused Al Nassr of influencing refereeing decisions during their pursuit of the Premier League title from the 2018/19 season. His frustration was compounded after Al Nassr winger Kingsley Coman was only shown a yellow card for a heavy tackle that led to a tense exchange between players and staff on the pitch that involved almost 10 players during a brief scuffle.
Demiral also brought his AFC Champions League medal into the stadium before kick-off and was seen displaying it around the ground. He later wrote on social media: “For the first time there is a Champions League medal in their stadium.”
Ronaldo was also seen celebrating in front of England striker Ivan Toney, their first notable interaction on the pitch since Toney had previously questioned the integrity of the Saudi official, adding further intensity to the post-match atmosphere. Al Nassr are now just two points away from the Saudi Pro League title. They will then play two games away from home in the league before hosting title rivals Al Hilal.
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Published on:
30 Apr 2026 15:36 IST
