Ronaldo on obscene gesture: It was a misunderstanding

Cristiano Ronaldo has called the obscene gesture that saw him suspended for a Saudi Pro League match a “misunderstanding” and also admitted “every day I try to be a better man”.

The Al Nassr and Portugal captain was handed a one-match suspension by the Saudi Football Federation for provoking rival fans by appearing to make a gesture following his team's 3-2 league victory over his Riyadh's rival, Al Shabab, on February 25.

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Ronaldo, 39, served his suspension and missed his team's next league match, a 4-4 draw against Al Hazm.

“I take this opportunity to talk about the case in which I was punished for a match,” Ronaldo said at a press conference.

“What I did was a misunderstanding. I will always respect the cultures of all countries, but what people see is not always reality.”

It was not the first time the former Real Madrid star was annoyed in Saudi Arabia after being taunted by rival fans chanting Lionel Messi's name.

“Sometimes the passion for the game leads us to make mistakes, but everyone makes them,” Ronaldo said. “Every time I do them, I don't do it on purpose. Every day I try to be a better man.

When asked if he could improve his behavior, Ronaldo replied: “I can't promise because I'm a human being. Nobody is perfect. Life is made of mistakes.

“What I can promise is that I am a player who gives everything on the field, a passionate player, a player who always wants to win. I am a player who does not like to see people do unsportsmanlike things. .. I am happy to be in Saudi Arabia and happy to represent Al Nassr.”