That's Why He Is The GOAT! - Fans React After Ronaldo Rejects Penalty Awarded In Asian Champions League

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Riyadh, November 28: Cristiano Ronaldo rejected a penalty he was awarded as his 10-man Al-Nassr side held on to draw with Persepolis of Iran 0-0 in the Asian Champions League on Monday (November 27) night.

Ronaldo went down in the box in the opening moments of the match, and the referee pointed to the spot, but Ronaldo joined Persepolis players in disputing the penalty. Referee Ma Ning checked the pitchside monitor and overturned his decision.

Al-Nassr defender Ali Lajimi was sent off in the half for a dangerous challenge on Milad Sarlak, and Ronaldo gave his Saudi Arabia team a late scare when he exited with a neck injury.

But Al-Nassr had already qualified for the knockout stages as the Group E winner and advanced unbeaten. The Riyadh team came into the game having won 18 of its previous 19 games in all competitions.

In the same group, Qatar's Al-Duhail earned its first win after defeating Istiklol of Tajikistan 2-0. Prolific Kenyan striker Michael Olunga scored both goals.

Results aside, Ronaldo's honesty in nullifying a penalty that could have won his side the game, earned mixed reactions mostly in praise of the superstar forward. Here are some of the reactions:

One fan posted on X, "Apparently, Ronaldo refused to accept a penalty that was awarded to him. He deliberately told the referee it wasn't a penalty. Goat things. Huge RESPECT."

Several fans used this to show Ronaldo's sportsmanship, while some went back to few instances when Ronaldo appealed for penalties which never should have been awarded.

Ronaldo has several times been accussed of tricking the referees into winning free-kicks and spot-kicks, but this gesture is definitely worth the praise for the Portuguese forward, who has netted over 850 goals in his career so far.

Since his move from Manchester United to the Saudi Pro League side in January 2023, Ronaldo has scored 30 goals for the Riyadh-based club in just over 35 appearances across tournaments.