Ronaldo Thanks Saudi Ruler Mohammed Bin Salman in Interview With Piers Morgan
Cristiano Ronaldo has come under heavy criticism online after praising Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during the recent interview with Piers Morgan. The Portuguese footballer, who has been playing for the Saudi Club Al Nassr since December 2022, said:
I have to appreciate our boss MBS. He gave me the opportunity to be the ambassador of the eGames (…) I am here in the country because of him as well. So it’s a guy I really respect and uh I am here because of him. So we do fantastic things for the country.
Reddit, where users didn’t just debate Ronaldo’s words - they strongly condemned them. Many saw reacted with disbelief seeing Bin Salman (MBS) as a leader widely criticized for his authoritarian rule and brutal suppression of dissent.
Bin Salman, the de facto ruler of Saudi Arabia, has been accused of silencing critics through imprisonment, torture, and assassination. Under his leadership, dozens of journalists, women’s rights activists, and political opponents have been jailed.
Western intelligence agencies, including the CIA, concluded that he ordered the 2018 murder and dismembering of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul — a killing that shocked the world and cemented his reputation as a ruthless strongman.
To many users on the social media network Reddit, Ronaldo’s remarks seemed tone-deaf and opportunistic, to say the least - a billionaire athlete thanking a man accused of murdering critics and holding ba basic freedoms.
Ronaldo’s Reputation Under Fire as Reddit Users Stand in Disbelief
On Reddit, the reaction was overwhelmingly negative. One of the top comments, receiving over 70 upvotes, read:
Another way of saying, am I here for the money?
Others compared Ronaldo’s situation to that of athletes who refused lucrative offers on ethical grounds. A user recalled that
in 1981, John McEnroe refused $1 million to play an exhibition in apartheid South Africa — and still calls it the proudest moment of his career.
But most reddit users just acted in disbelief and disappointment.
An autocrat who got where he is thanks to nepotism. Ronaldo could have just stuck to making money and staying quiet instead of promoting a figure like that.
No, goat, why?
I never thought Ronaldo was the type to suck up to the boss.
Yes, despite being one of the best players of all time, Ronaldo is and always will be a simpleton who lacks the ability to see beyond his own navel. There's no hypocrisy in criticizing someone with his status for supporting a regime like the Saudi one.
References to Human Rights Abuses in Saudi Arabia Flood the Discussion
Several users pointed to Saudi Arabia’s human rights record as a reason for their anger. A highly upvoted comment described Bin Salman as “known for imprisoning, torturing, and killing human rights activists and critics of the regime,” while another mentioned the 2018 murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, implying Ronaldo’s words ignored that history.
‘Mohammed Bone Saw’: Piers Morgan Previously Found Clear Words in Describing the Saudi Prince as Barbaric
Indeed, interviewer Piers Morgan stayed noticeably silent, responding only with a hesitant “mmmh” before quickly moving on. The moment felt extremely awkward, especially given Morgan’s past comments about Bin Salman - he has previously been a sharp critic of the Saudi leader, once describing him in drastic terms as barbaric and calling him ‘Mohammed Bone Saw’ after the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
REPULSIVE “Saudi tyrant ‘MBS’ – a.k.a. Mohammed Bone Saw – forces Jamal Khashoggi’s son to do a PR photo-op handshake, days after ordering his father’s torture, dismemberment and murder. A new low, even by the medieval standards of this barbaric crown prince.”
Piers Morgan, Twitter, nationthailand.com
In Saudi Arabia, several actions can lead to severe punishment or imprisonment and the death penalty. Here are some of the most serious scenarios:
Criticizing Mohammed Bin Salman. His Ruling Royal Family or Government
Publicly or online - even mild criticism - can be prosecuted under laws against “undermining the ruler” or “spreading false information.”
Advocating for Political Reform or Human Rights
Peaceful activism, like calling for women’s rights, abolishing male guardianship, or demanding elections, can result in long prison sentences under the anti-terrorism law.
Blasphemy or Questioning Islam
Criticizing religion, promoting atheism, or mocking religious figures is treated as a grave offense. It can bring years in prison — or even the death penalty in extreme cases.
Source: Reddit
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