Cristiano Ronaldo goads Atletico Madrid by imitating Diego Simeone’s ‘cojones’ celebration after scoring hat-trick to seal emphatic Juventus comeback and quarter-final place
- Cristiano Ronaldo controversially copied Diego Simeone’s ‘cojones’ celebration
- Ronaldo was the star of the show as Juventus staged a comeback vs Atletico
- After scoring his third Ronaldo grabbed his crotch, as Simeone had done before
- Simeone was charged by UEFA and fined £17,000 for performing the action
Cristiano Ronaldo rubbed salt into the wounds of Atletico Madrid players and fans by imitating Diego Simeone’s ‘cojones’ celebration after ruthlessly eliminating them from the Champions League.
The talisman was the star of the show, scoring the three goals needed to secure an aggregate 3-2 victory and progression to the quarter final stage.
It was from the penalty spot that Ronaldo completed his hat-trick and condemned Atleti to elimination, and the superstar forward was seen grabbing his crotch area in a very animated matter after hitting the back of the net.
Cristiano Ronaldo controversially imitated Diego Simeone’s ‘cojones’ celebration
Ronaldo held both arms above his head, while gesturing an inwards motion with his hands
The Portugal star then brought both hands down towards his crotch, as Simeone did likewise
It is believed Ronaldo’s gesture was a direct reference to the behaviour of Atleti boss Simeone, who performed the same action after his side scored a late goal in the first-leg of the contest.
After Atleti defender Jose Maria Gimenez scored the first goal late in a 2-0 win in the Spanish capital, Simeone likewise grabbed his crotch area while facing in the direction of the crowd.
‘I had to show what I was feeling. I can only apologise if anyone was offended, but I did it from the heart,’ said Simeone when later asked about the incident.
‘I did it as a player in Lazio against Bologna and I did it again to show our fans that we have cojones,’ he added.
Atletico manager Diego Simeone grabbed his crotch during his celebration in the first leg
Simeone was charged by UEFA as a result, and handed a £17,000 fine for the celebration
‘It wasn’t aimed at the other team, I was turning towards our own supporters.
‘It’s not a nice gesture, I admit, but I felt the need to do it.’
He was subsequently charged by UEFA and fined £17,000 as a result.
It now remains to be seen whether UEFA will take similar action against Ronaldo, and fine the Portugal captain for acting in the same manner.