In recent games in the Saudi Pro League, a particular taunt has  become popular among supporters  of Al Nassr’s opponents.

Fans can be heard mocking Al Nassr star Cristiano Ronaldo with chants in praise of long-time rival Leo Messi, such as “Messi’s better than you!”

Far from ignoring such jibes, Ronaldo has shown signs of annoyance. He  has reacted by aiming gestures back  at the supporters in question.

Notably, this was the 39-year-old’s controversial reaction when he  scored Al Nassr’s winning goal against Al Shabab at the end of February.

The Saudi league’s ethics and disciplinary panel punished Ronaldo  for the gestures, which it described  as “immoral, obscene and rude”.

The forward was given a one-match ban and fined a total of around  $8,000 - loose change to a man with a $200m annual salary at Al Nassr.

Ronaldo argued that his actions were nothing out of the ordinary, but the league disagreed. It’s not the first time he’s produced a gesture like that.

During a game against Neymar’s Al Hilal, for example, the Al Nassr  star responded to pro-Messi chants  by grabbing his privates.

In deeply conservative Saudi Arabia, such actions have caused huge offence. “He mustn’t hurt this country’s image,” a major Saudi journalist has warned.