CRISTIANO RONALDO picked up the 12th red card of his lengthy career playing for Al-Nassr last night.
The legendary forward appeared to elbow Al-Hilal’s Ali Al-Bulayhi in the chest during last night’s 2-1 Saudi Super Cup defeat.
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Al-Bulayhi appeared to square up to Ronnie beforehand, having already tried to stop him from taking a quick throw-in.
But it’s not the first time the feisty defender has clashed with Ronaldo.
And Al-Bulayhi has even tried to wind up several other superstars too — including Ronnie’s rival Lionel Messi.
The 34-year-old Saudi Arabian has spent his entire career in the country, knocking around the lower divisions with Al-Amal and Al-Nahda.
He finally got his big break in the top flight Saudi Pro League in 2015 with Al Fateh.
And in 2017 Al-Bulayhi was snapped up by giants Al-Hilal.
Little did he know they would become the powerhouse of the Saudi money revolution, bringing in superstars like Neymar, Ruben Neves, Kalidou Koulibaly, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, Malcom, Aleksandr Mitrovic, Yassine Bounou and Renan Lodi.
Al-Bulayhi is now one of the top homegrown players in the division with four titles and two Asian Champions Leagues to his name.
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But his fiery personality has also made headlines, with the centre-back not afraid to clash against the world’s best strikers.
Before last night’s encounter with Ronaldo, they collided last season in a heated encounter.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s red cards
Ronaldo picked up his 12th career red card against Al-Hilal
- Aston Villa vs MAN UTD (2004) – Yellow cards for diving and chipping goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen after the whistle had gone.
- Man City vs MAN UTD (2006) – Straight red card for a high tackle on former United legend Andy Cole, of all people.
- Portsmouth vs MAN UTD (2007) – Straight red card for headbutting midfielder Richard Hughes.
- Man City vs MAN UTD (2008) – Yellow card for a cynical foul on Shaun Wright-Phillips, second yellow for a deliberate handball.
- REAL MADRID vs Almeria (2009) – Ronaldo’s first home red card. One yellow for taking his shirt off to celebrate a goal. A second yellow for aiming a kick at midfielder Juanma Ortiz.
- REAL MADRID vs Malaga (2010) – Straight red card for a stray elbow which fractured defender Patrick Mtiliga’s nose. Ronaldo said afterwards: “If he wasn’t 5 foot 6, I might have caught him in the chest.
- REAL MADRID vs Atletico Madrid (2013) – Ronaldo received a straight red card for a high kick in Atleti captain Gabi’s face as Real lost the Copa del Rey final 2-1 on home soil.
- Athletic Bilbao vs REAL MADRID (2014) – Straight red card for striking an opponent in the face during a skirmish before a corner.
- Cordoba vs REAL MADRID (2015) – Straight red card for kicking left-back Edimar and pushing centre-back Jose Angel Crespo
- Barcelona vs REAL MADRID (2017) – Ronaldo made it a red card in the Manchester derby, Madrid derby and El Clasico in the 2017 Spanish Super Cup. The Portugal star received yellow cards for removing his shirt to celebrate a goal at the Nou Camp and diving. He made matters worse by aiming a slight push at the referee after getting sent off.
- Valencia vs JUVENTUS (2018) – Controversial red card after defender Jeison Murillo threw himself to the ground as the pair jostled for position.
- Al-Hilal vs AL-NASSR (2024) – Little doubt about this one as Ronaldo appeared to swing his elbow twice at defender Ali Al-Bulayhi.
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After various tussles, Ronnie ended up accusing Al-Bulayhi of play-acting.
And the defender was left seething after he ended up with two yellow cards to his name.
But he got his revenge last night, with Ronaldo being sent off this time.
Al-Bulayhi has also gone up against Argentina legend Messi.
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The pair went head-to-head at the 2022 World Cup during the future winners’ shock 2-1 defeat to Saudi Arabia.
Al-Bulayhi and Messi engaged in a verbal battle, with the former saying: “You won’t win.”
His prediction certainly came true on the day as Saudi clinched a historic win, but it was Messi who had the last laugh as he led Argentina to victory in the final over France.
Al-Bulayhi also got on the wrong side of Tottenham fans earlier this year when Saudi Arabia played South Korea in the Asian Cup.
He shoved captain and talisman Son Heung-Min during one clash, with the striker refusing to take the bait.
Instead, Son smiled and exchanged pleasantries as he tried going about his business.
Al-Bulayhi then appeared to pull Son’s hair, but the forward once again kept his composure.
Ali Al-Bulayhi’s career stats
Those numbers in full:
- Al-Fateh, 2015-2017: 59 games, 2 goals
- Al-Hilal, 2017-2024: 203 games, 17 goals
- Saudi Arabia, 2018-2024: 52 games, 2 goals
- Trophies: Saudi Pro League x4, Kings Cup x2, Saudi Super Cup x2, AFC Champions League x2 (Al-Hilal)