The decision to punish Cristiano Ronaldo with a red card after a clash during a Champions League game between Juventus and Valencia has stirred social media, as well as his emotional reaction. Some felt sorry for the football superstar, who was handed his first red card in the Champions League just 28 minutes into the game and cried bitterly, leaving the field, and missing Juventus’ 2-0 victory in his CL debut, while others mocked CR7 mercilessly.
READ MORE: Valencia Coach Says His Team Doesn’t 'Fear' Ronaldo Ahead of Clash With Juventus
Some lashed out at referee Felix Brych’s decision to send Ronaldo off the field after he put his hand on the hair of Valencia defender Jeison Murillo.
Others took Ronaldo’s pain too close to heart.
However, the disapproval wasn’t unanimous, as many gave the referee kudos for being just.
Yet another teary outburst in Ronaldo’s career caused an avalanche of trolling and teasing on social media.
One couldn’t but mention Ronaldo’s longtime rival for the GOAT title, Lionel Messi, who managed to score a hat trick in his opening CL game.
Ronaldo’s girlfriend Georgina Rodriguez was also targeted, as some users insulted her in the wake of the incident, in the Instagram commentary section under her latest cheering post with Ronaldo’s kids, by saying things like “Red card for dada.”
It’s not the first time she's been bullied online, as some have made degrading comments under photos featuring her wearing tiny dresses and bikinis.