From hugs to titles!
Cristiano Ronaldo is facing unexpected controversy and potential punishment for a seemingly innocent act of kindness.
The Portuguese superstar, who currently plays for Al-Nasr in Saudi Arabia, landed himself in trouble for a heartfelt gesture during a visit to Iran last month.
On September 19, Ronaldo participated in the AFC Champions League match between Al Nasser and Persepolis in Iran. Before the game, fans presented him with gifts, including two hyper-realistic paintings by painter Fatima Hamimi. Fatima, who is disabled and creates art with her feet, showed Ronaldo the artwork.
Out of gratitude, the 38-year-old footballer embraced the artist and gave him a gentle kiss on the forehead. While the move seemed completely harmless, it reportedly caused controversy in Iran. Multiple reports indicate that touching another woman in a relationship may be considered adultery in the country.
Ronaldo, who is in a long-term relationship with Georgina Rodriguez, now finds himself embroiled in this complex cultural issue.
According to multiple Iranian media reports, Ronaldo was allegedly sentenced to “99 lashes” as punishment for his actions. However, there is a glimmer of hope for the football icon. Some reports suggest that he may be able to avoid punishment if he shows remorse for his actions, suggesting that cultural sensitivity plays an important role in resolving the issue.
Also Read | Messi played first half in Argentina’s 1-0 World Cup qualifying win; Brazil drew with Venezuela
As of now, the football icon has no plans to return to Iran for any Al-Nassr matches. However, such a visit could be imminent if the team advances to the knockout rounds of the AFC Champions League.
Despite the ongoing controversy, Ronaldo, who joined Al-Nassr in 2022, has yet to make any public statement on the matter.
Hindustan Times attempted to contact Rep. Ronaldo for comment.
Please click the link to subscribe now and stay updated with the latest news! Click here!Get all the latest news from Asian Games 2023