Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo’s Saudi nemesis tried to add Heung-Min Son to list – but Tottenham star had last laugh

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have both felt the wrath of Saudi Arabia defender Ali Al-Bulayhi.

But Tottenham captain Heung-Min Son ensured he had the last laugh when he faced-off against the 34-year-old provocateur in their Asian Cup Round-of-16 clash.

Son’s South Korea came through a hard-fought clash with Saudi Arabia by winning a tense penalty shootout after the score was deadlocked at 1-1 after extra time.

The victory sees South Korea book their place in the quarter-final on Friday where they will take on Australia for a place in the last four.

South Korea’s advancement to the quarter-final was in part due to Son’s ability to keep his head in the face of Al-Bulayhi’s dark arts.

During an exchange the Al-Hilal centre-back pushed Son in hope of sparking an angry response.

But luck was not on the defender’s side as Son responded with a smile before exchanging a few words.

Al-Bulayhi then bizarrely slid his hands through Son’s hair and appeared to pull it in what could be considered another attempt to destabilise the Spurs striker - but it did nothing to deter his rival.

It’s not the first time Al-Bulayhi has targeted opponents' star players and it seems nobody is immune from his antics.

At the 2022 World Cup, he went head-to-head with Lionel Messi, telling the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner, “you won't win," during Argentina’s opening group game defeat to Saudi Arabia.

He also saved some spice for Cristiano Ronaldo in a Saudi Pro League fixture after the Portuguese accused him of play acting.

Al-Bulayhi was angered by the accusations and his antics backfired leading to his dismissal later in the match for two bookable offences.

The pair are set to go toe-to-toe again in May as Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr face Al-Hilal in what is likely to be a Saudi Pro League title decider.