Cristiano Ronaldo persuaded the referee to change his mind after being awarded a penalty in Al Nassr’s 0-0 draw with Iran’s Persepolis in the AFC Champions League.
Soroush Rafiei appeared to have brought down the 38-year-old former Manchester United and Real Madrid great inside the area, and Chinese referee Ma Ning pointed to the spot.
Ronaldo rose to his feet and approached the referee, wagging his finger, shaking his head, and informing him that there had been no infraction.
The referee was sent to the pitch-side monitor after consulting VAR and changed his decision in the Group E meeting in Riyadh.
After Ali Lajami was sent off for a shin-raking challenge in the 17th minute, the Saudi Pro League team had to play the majority of the game with 10 men.
They also lost Ronaldo with 13 minutes remaining due to a neck injury caused by Persepolis custodian Alireza Beiranvand collapsing on the Portuguese star while claiming a high ball.
However, Iran’s 2018 and 2020 Champions League runners-up were unable to capitalise, with the point enough for Al Nassr to secure their place in the knockout stages as group winners.
Ronaldo has little time to rest as Al Nassr faces Al Hilal in a top-of-the-table league showdown on Friday.