Soccer superstar Cristiano Ronaldo is drawing praise from Christians online for making the sign of the cross after scoring a goal for his new Saudi Arabia-based club Al Nassr FC.
Displays of Christian symbols and public worship are currently outlawed in the Muslim-dominated nation, as are attempts to convert persons to non-Islamic religions.
The goal was scored on a penalty kick in the 75th minute during the team’s August 9 matchup against Iraq’s Al Shorta SC in the league’s semi-final. Afterwards, Ronaldo proceeded to cross himself (something he has done many times) and then showed off his signature “siii” celebration, meaning “yesss!”
Al Nassr heads to the Arab Club Championship this Saturday to face rival Al-Hilal.
Ronaldo, 38, was born in Portugal. He signed a two-and-a-half-year deal worth an astronomical $220 million per season to play for Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League. Throughout his lengthy career, he has taken the pitch for top European Champions League clubs Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus. He has scored 18 goals in 24 matches this season
Although he has five children from multiple women and is not married to his current live-in girlfriend, Ronaldo told an Italian sports reporter in 2018 that he attends Mass regularly.
“I go every week to church. Every week. I am Catholic, and I go to thank God for what he gives me.”
When asked if he expects to get married, he replied, “I don’t know if it will happen in the future, but now, it is not in my plans.”
The Catholic Church teaches that opposite-sex persons who are not married but engage in sexual relations together partake in the sin of fornication. The Church also teaches that before receiving Communion, both individuals must confess their sin, amend their ways, and abstain from the Eucharist until being joined together in the sacrament of marriage, lest they unworthily drink judgment upon themselves.
The Saudi Arabian government reportedly has made an exception for Ronaldo’s family situation. Currently, Saudi laws prohibit the cohabitation of unmarried persons in the same house. However, civil authorities have “recently begun to turn a blind eye and no longer pursue anyone,” an unnamed lawyer told a Spanish press agency recently.
Ronaldo’s mother attempted to abort him during her pregnancy by drinking boiled black beer, as abortion in Portugal was illegal at the time, but he survived. He is widely considered one of the greatest soccer players of all time.
