Why was Premier League referee Michael Oliver booking Cristiano Ronaldo in the Saudi Pro League this week?

Cristiano Ronaldo
(Image credit: Getty)

News that Cristiano Ronaldo had been booked on Tuesday night for apparently "putting an opponent in a headlock" was always going to make headlines. 

The five-time Ballon d'Or winner is currently winding down his career in Saudi Arabia, on one of the most-lucrative playing contracts in sports history. Yet even in the shadow of Europe's top five leagues, the Portugal captain continues to demand attention. 

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Ed McCambridge
Staff Writer

Ed is a staff writer at FourFourTwo, working across the magazine and website. A German speaker, he’s been working as a football reporter in Berlin since 2015, predominantly covering the Bundesliga and Germany's national team. Favourite FFT features include an exclusive interview with Jude Bellingham following the youngster’s move to Borussia Dortmund in 2020, a history of the Berlin Derby since the fall of the Wall and a celebration of Kevin Keegan’s playing career.