Top 10 controversies of 2017

#1 Cristiano Ronaldo's red card fiasco

Cristiano Ronaldo shoved the referee in frustration

The El Clasico has always witnessed angry outbursts, thanks to the storied and fierce rivalry between them. After Lionel Messi invited controversy with his taunting celebration by taking off his shirt and displaying it before the Real Madrid crowd, it was Cristiano Ronaldo's turn to return the favour. However, the match didn't end as happy as he would have liked.

The Portuguese talisman imitated the Argentinian's celebration after scoring a wonder goal on a counter-attack. He was rightfully booked by the referee for taking his shirt off. Two minutes later, CR7 went down to the ground after a challenge by Samuel Umtiti.

The referee, much to the dismay of Real Madrid, accused Ronaldo of diving and brandished a second yellow card. Infuriated by the decision, the 32-year-old shoved the referee which resulted in a calamity for him.

Real Madrid won 3-1 but Ronaldo faced a five-match ban which included missing the second leg of the Spanish Super Cup.

An outraged Zinedine Zidane hinted an appeal following the red card while Sergio Ramos fired shots at the wrong decision-making of the referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea. The Spanish defender pointed out Luis Suarez's alleged dive that won Barcelona a penalty in the fixture as worthy of a booking, simultaneously defending his teammate in the process.

The aftermath of his ban saw Cristiano Ronaldo go through the most torrid time of his career in front of the goal. The once mighty forward became a subject of countless jokes and trolls as he notched the worst goal conversion rate in Europe's top five leagues.

As the first La Liga El Clasico of the season largely looms at the Bernabeu, let's pray that the unpleasant memories of the past don't haunt him.