Cristiano Ronaldo is lacing up for his toughest battle in Saudi Arabia, as Al Nassr plays Al Hilal in the Saudi Super Cup final in a few minutes. However, did you know that this coveted final is hosting somebody’s last dance? The referee called up for the Super Cup finale will be officiating his last-ever game in Abha tonight. Anyhow, the referee’s national is now the talk of the town in the soccer world, since he also hails from Portugal, like Ronaldo. Therefore, many think that the Al Nassr skipper would benefit from the referee’s calls.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Al Nassr have made a bitter rival of Al Hilal after frequently losing to them in recent competitive finals. Besides that, most Riyadh derbies also attract infamy for the biased refereeing that supposedly happens during these games. So, it isn’t surprising that the Portuguese referee has become a talking point for the wrong reason.

Here’s the Portuguese referee who will officiate Cristiano Ronaldo and Co.’s Al Hilal tie

Artur Soares Dias has been a FIFA and UEFA-listed referee since 2010. Dias has been having a busy year lately, as he has decided to call it a day on his refereeing stint after tonight’s game. He was a regular in the recently concluded UEFA Euro group stage game and Ro16 games. Dias has been serving as a main referee in the Liga Portugal. Since he decided to retire after the Euros, the Portuguese League front office did not secure his services for the next season.

So, the Portuguese official decided to have his swan song by overseeing the Saudi Arabian ‘classic’ between the two Riyadh powerhouses. Artur Soares Dias has earlier crossed paths with Cristiano Ronaldo, during the latter’s stint in Real Madrid and Juventus. Moreover, Dias is not a new face to the Saudi League either. His resume shows, he has time and again been the Saudi League’s go-to referee in big finals.

The Saudi Arabian soccer fraternity could be proud that it is giving a farewell to a distinguished European referee. However, fans think the referee’s Portuguese background would work in mysterious ways.

Some fans are relieved, while others are upset, for the same reason- Dias’ Portugal background

Various X handles close to Al Nassr hit the web with the word that Artur Soares Dias is refereeing his last in the Al Nassr-Al Hilal match. Citing referees’ supposed bias against Cristiano Ronaldo and Al Nassr, many think a referee will finally be fair to the Portuguese icon and the Knights of Najd. This is solely because Dias also hails from Portugal. While certain others think Al Hilal will face bad refereeing due to the same nationality fiasco.

Ronaldo and Co. already bear the humiliation for not beating Al Hilal at least once in the 2023-24 season. Now, if at all they beat Al Hilal, the yellow team would have to answer fans who say the referee rigged the final.

Seems like a Lionel Messi fan has sent a shot to CR7 and his fans. The pressure is so immense that Ronaldo and Co. will have to take heat even if they lose and prove that the game was not rigged.

Well, even if it is sarcasm, fans sincerely hope that Ronaldo’s uncanny trysts with Saudi referees come to an end in the Super Cup finale. And the Al Hilal games have been the breeding ground of hostility between Ronaldo and referees.

Not everyone is so eager to make a mockery out of Cristiano Ronaldo and Artur Soares Dias’ shared nationality.

Fans on X swing back to critique the Saudi League’s decision to have a Portuguese referee.

Do you think Al Nassr and Ronaldo would benefit from the Portuguese official? Tell us in the comments below.