Cristiano Ronaldo showed all of his class during Al-Nassr‘s AFC Champions League game against Persepolis on Monday.
The flashpoint occurred just two minutes into the match when former Liverpool star Sadio Mane whipped a cross in in search of Ronaldo.
Ronaldo initially tries a first time shot but when that is blocked he goes in search of it again as it takes a deflection in the box.
He is second to the ball and tumbles over, with the referee quickly pointing to the penalty spot to the incredulity of Persepolis’ players.
Replays showed that there had been no contact on Ronaldo and credit to the Portuguese superstar he was quickly on his feet and wagging his finger to tell the referee to correct his decision.
Cristiano Ronaldo was quick to tell the referee to change a penalty call given in his favour
Ronaldo was seen wagging his finger in a match that Al-Nassr would go on to draw 0-0
Ronaldo has been hailed for his sportsmanship for owning up to the wrong call so it could be rectified – but it may well have been fixed anyway.
It is important to note that VAR is in use for the group stages of the AFC Champions League and so that would likely have rectified the non-penalty call.
Replays evidently showed that there had been no foul on the former Manchester United and Real Madrid star.
Alternatively, Ronaldo’s supporters will say that VAR remains hit and miss and he took potential problems away by owning up the wrong call.
Al-Nassr, who went down to 10 men when Ali Lajami was sent off in the 17th minute, eventually drew the game 0-0 and so it makes Ronaldo’s honesty even more honourable.
Ronaldo’s honesty has been hailed as great sportsmanship – but VAR may have picked call up