After the intense clash between Al Nassr and Al Ahli, defender Merih Demiral did not hide his frustration and made remarks that quickly ignited controversy in Saudi Arabia. The Turkish center-back accused referees of favoring Cristiano Ronaldo’s team and delivered comments that did not go unnoticed.
Controversial Statements by Merih Demiral Against Al Nassr and Cristiano Ronaldo
“It seems clear that referees are helping Al Nassr, they want them to win,” said Merih Demiral in the mixed zone after the match, showing his frustration over several decisions that, in his view, directly influenced the game.
A Heated Match On and Off the Pitch
The Riyadh derby was filled with tension from start to finish. Al Nassr secured a 2-0 victory in a hard-fought match, where Cristiano Ronaldo once again took center stage. The Portuguese star reached 970 goals in his career and put his team very close to winning the league title. However, the biggest talking points came after the final whistle.
Merih Demiral immediately approached Cristiano Ronaldo and Kingsley Coman in a heated atmosphere. He then made a gesture that generated even more buzz, taking his AFC Champions League winner’s medal and showing it to different sections of the stadium.
But the situation did not end there. Later, on social media, he posted a photo displaying the medal along with a provocative message: “For the first time, there is a Champions League medal in their stadium.”
The Turkish defender’s anger has context. During the match, he believed several key decisions favored Al Nassr, especially a strong challenge by Kingsley Coman which, in his opinion, deserved a red card.
Complaints That Are Not New
Criticism of refereeing around Al Nassr is nothing new. In previous weeks, players from Al Ahli had already expressed their dissatisfaction. Wanderson Galeno wrote on social media: “They can hand over the trophy, that’s what they want,” after another controversial match.
Ivan Toney also voiced his frustration. According to him, when they tried to question refereeing decisions, they received a response that further escalated tensions: “Focus on the Asian Champions League. How can a referee say that?”
Even Al Ahli released an official statement expressing concern about refereeing criteria and the selection process of officials.
The rivalry between both clubs has grown, and this episode only adds more fuel to the fire. With Al Nassr very close to the title, emotions remain high, and Merih Demiral’s words reflect an atmosphere that is still far from cooling down.
