Cristiano Ronaldo Hailed For Penalty "Honesty" But Many Fans Unimpressed By His "Dive"

Al Nassr captain Cristiano Ronaldo asked a referee not to award him a penalty kick against Persepolis. But was this true honest sportsmanship or post-dive PR?

Cristiano Ronaldo asked a referee NOT to award him a penalty kick during Monday's AFC Champions League game between Al Nassr and Persepolis.

The Al Nassr captain went down in the 18-yard box inside the opening two minutes in Riyadh, sparking China's Ma Ning to point to the spot.

Multiple Persepolis players were very unhappy with the referee's decision and began frantically waving their fingers at him.

Remarkably, Ronaldo then joined in with the protests before a VAR review saw the referee cancel the award of the penalty.

Ronaldo swiftly went viral on social media, where he was widely hailed for his "honesty" and "sportsmanship".

Cristiano Ronaldo waved off his own penalty against Persepolis, telling the referee himself he didn't believe it was a foul. 👀

Not something you see every day in football. 👏 pic.twitter.com/do8L58tFYJ

— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) November 27, 2023

Ronaldo was awarded a penalty but tells the referee that he wasn't fouled.... Honesty at its peek! 😊 pic.twitter.com/PfOLy8h7bh

— THE MAN FROM PITAKWA (@Maniiple) November 28, 2023

Respect for Cristiano Ronaldo's sportsmanship! Walking up to the referee and admitting it wasn't a penalty shows true integrity. Kudos, bro!

— Mitchell Stroker (@MitchellStroke3) November 28, 2023

However, not everyone was impressed.

Many fans seemed to believe that Ronaldo had been guilty of a "dive" and that his gesture to the referee was a "PR" move because he knew that the VAR check would result in the penalty being canceled anyway.

Ronaldo threw himself to the ground after Persepolis midfielder Soroush Rafiei had slid towards him with an outstretched boot.

But Rafiei pulled out of the challenge. Ronaldo went down anyway, having anticipated contact.

Ronaldo: “Dives a very embarrassing dive”
Referee: “Penalty”
Ronaldo:(Knowing Damn well he dived and ref will look at Var and say no pen) no Mr ref it’s no penalty
Media “ Oh my god Messi can never Ronaldo’s such a fair guy, Respect Ronaldo”
We Can’t compete with this Ronaldo PR pic.twitter.com/nIlt1l8cKL

— Marvin (@FCBMarvinn) November 28, 2023

Let me get this straight, after Ronaldo took a horrendous dive, decided it was so bad and obvious that he'd own up, and we're supposed to praise him for it? 🤣 https://t.co/5AtArjWZ15

— Smack (@lovesmelife) November 28, 2023

If it’s not a penalty then why did he dive? Ronaldo and his PR are in full swing 🤣 https://t.co/nM4FH2WjQw

— Suge waka Ntunja 🇸🇿 (@MuziDee) November 28, 2023

Ronaldo is a PR machine. You know for a fact he ain’t doing this in Europe 😂 man knew this would get numbers

His marketing is unreal and he’s genuinely the main part of it. He is his brand his own manager. Not the goat but a very smart guy https://t.co/qPUwLxV9Qj

— Jamesredmond_96 (@jamesredmond_96) November 27, 2023

Monday's game finished 0-0, despite Al Nassr playing with just 10 men from the 17th minute when Ali Lajami was sent off.

That result saw Ronaldo and Co qualify for the AFC Champions League's knockout phase.

Highlights: Al Nassr 0-0 Persepolis

Cristiano Ronaldo pictured waving his finger towards the referee during Al Nassr's 0-0 draw with Persepolis / Saudi Sports Company