Kante causes a stir by 'ignoring' Ronaldo

N'Golo Kante suddenly drew focus when caught disregarding Cristiano Ronaldo ahead of the Saudi Pro League clash between Al-Ittihad and Al-Nassr.

The headline match of round 4 in the Saudi Pro League between Al-Ittihad and Al-Nassr attracted not only attention for the on-field contest but also for an off-field moment. During the pre-match greetings, N'Golo Kante was unexpectedly recorded walking straight past Cristiano Ronaldo without shaking hands or exchanging pleasantries. This image instantly went viral on social media, sparking lively debates among fans.

Cristiano Ronaldo is well known for his friendly greetings to opponents. Before the game started, he warmly embraced Karim Benzema, his former Real Madrid teammate, and shook hands cordially with Fabinho, a midfielder who used to play for Liverpool. However, when it was Kante’s turn, the French player quietly walked by without acknowledging the Portuguese superstar. Many fans saw this as a sign of "ignoring" Ronaldo, but in reality, it reflected Kante’s true personality.

Throughout his career, Kante is famous for being a humble player, unpretentious and usually composed. To him, every opponent on the field is equal, regardless of whether they are a top star or a lesser-known player.

This character trait has made Kante beloved for his genuine nature and distinctive demeanor. One supporter commented: "Kante treats everyone the same, no matter if they are a superstar or not".

Others opined: "He’s naturally shy, so that behavior is completely normal".

There were also views stating: "Kante just wants to focus on his profession, not bothered by small details". Meanwhile, a fan humorously wrote: "Maybe Kante was too shy and forgot Ronaldo was right in front of him."

In that match, Sadio Mane was the brightest star. The former Liverpool player had an explosive performance, directly scoring to help Al-Nassr secure a convincing 2-0 victory over the reigning champions Al-Ittihad. Cristiano Ronaldo also scored, contributing to maintaining the team’s perfect winning streak after 4 rounds under coach Jorge Jesus. This result solidified Al-Nassr’s position at the top of the table with a full 12 points, creating a 3-point gap from the chasing pack. It demonstrated the capital club’s superior strength in the Saudi Pro League.

Meanwhile, Al-Ittihad fell into crisis. Just one day after the defeat, the club announced the departure of coach Laurent Blanc. The management quickly compiled a list of potential replacements, including former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp. Finding a new coach became urgent as the team needs to regain stability to continue competing.

The image of Kante walking straight past Ronaldo sparked more controversy. Some viewed it as disrespect, but the majority understood it as a natural reflex of a reserved player who prefers to focus on his profession rather than the spotlight. This simplicity has made Kante’s image special in the eyes of fans worldwide.