Cristiano Ronaldo is ‘not used to losing games’ and lacks ‘mental focus’ during defeat, claims Al-Hilal boss Jorge Jesus after the Man United legend saw red during Al-Nassr’s exit from the Saudi Super Cup.

Cristiano Ronaldo is ‘not used to losing’ and lacks ‘mental focus’ during defeat, claimed Al-Hilal boss Jorge Jesus after the Al-Nassr star was sent off during the Saudi Super Cup semi-final.

The Man United legend saw red for raising his first against the referee after appearing to elbow an opponent and stamp on him.

Al-Nassr went on to lose the semi-final 2-1, but Ronaldo lost his head in the 86th minute after an altercation with Al-Hilal’s Ali Al-Bulaihi – who had tried to prevent the veteran striker from taking a quick throw.

Footage appeared to show Ronaldo throwing an elbow in the direction of the Al-Hilal defender, sending him crashing to the floor.

Another clip appeared to show Ronaldo stamping on an already shot Al-Bulaihi – but the billboards obstructed the view, making it unclear whether Ronaldo made contact with the player.

Cristiano Ronaldo saw red for a moment of madness that saw him appear to elbow a player during Al-Nassr’s defeat to Al-Hilal

Al-Hilal boss Jorge Jesus explained the incident by saying Ronaldo was ‘not used to losing’

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After a scuffle between the two sides, Mohammed Al-Hoaish waved a red card.

Trying to explain Ronaldo’s behaviour, Ronaldo’s Portuguese compatriot Jesus paid tribute to the five-time Ballon d’Or winner but said he lacks ‘mental focus’ when he loses games because he is not used to it.

“Ronaldo is one of the most important players in the world and an example for many,” he told the press after the match.

“But he is not used to losing in his career, so it is natural for him to lose his head when he loses, as well as for him to lose emotional and mental focus in defeat.”

He added: ‘It is not easy to play against (Al Hilal’s Kalidou) Koulibaly and Al-Bulayhi, they are the best central defenders in Saudi football.

“I don’t want to take credit from Ronaldo, he is still very strong, he has always been and will continue to be the most important player in the world, he is an example and a model.”

Jesus said the veteran forward lacked ‘mental focus’ when losing games in his career

Ronaldo was outraged after the decision and appeared to say fans were witnessing a ‘robbery’

After his red card, Ronaldo gestured as if he wanted to throw a punch – or perhaps hit the ball he was holding – in the referee’s direction before retracting the action.

Having already landed himself in very hot water, Ronaldo sarcastically patted a referee on the back after being shown the straight red.

As he left the pitch, Ronaldo appeared to tell the crowd that “you are all witnesses to this robbery”.

Al-Nassr coach Luis Castro had insisted that Ronaldo did not deserve to be sent off.

He said: ‘We’ve seen several clips throughout this season where Ronaldo was provoked and after watching some footage, Ronaldo didn’t do anything that deserved to be sent off. The rival player (Al-Bulayhi) pretended (to have been hit.)

– There was little contact between Cristiano and the rival defender. He caused a scene and VAR should have called the referee to review the episode of the sending off.’