Football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo is reportedly staring down 99 lashes as punishment for adultery after he hugged and kissed an Iranian artist on the cheek to thank her for a gift of two paintings.

Iranian media reports that there have been several lawsuits filed against the Al-Nassr star because the country’s law stipulates that touching a married woman while in a relationship is equivalent to adultery.

The 38-year-old Portuguese scorer has been with girlfriend Georgina Rodriguez since 2016, sharing two children, Alana Martina and Bella Esmeralda, with the model, as well as twins born via surrogate in 2017.

He also has a son, born in 2010 to an unknown mother.

Ronaldo and the artist, Fatima Hamimi, shared their moment when Al-Nassr travelled to Tehran to play Persepolis for an Asian Champions League group stage match.

Hamimi, who is reportedly 85 per cent paralysed and paints with her feet, was one of many fans who showered Ronaldo with gifts.

Ronaldo, who signed a two-and-a-half year deal with the Saudi Arabian club worth a reported US$75 million per year, could be forgiven by a judge if “the acts are not punishable or Ronaldo shows remorse,” according to Marca.

Al-Nassr does not play in Iran again during the group stage of the tournament, but could again if both teams make it to the knockout stage.