In what seems to be a challenging chapter in Cristiano Ronaldo’s illustrious career, the Portuguese legend faced another setback on Friday as Al Nassr suffered a resounding 0-3 defeat at the hands of arch-rivals Al Hilal at the King Fahd Stadium in Riyadh.
The former Real Madrid star, now donning the Al Nassr jersey, failed to make an impact on the scoresheet, leaving fans disheartened.
The match witnessed a turn of events in the 64th minute when Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, a key player for the league leaders Al Hilal, opened the scoring.
The Serbian midfielder’s precise strike was followed by a late-game onslaught from star striker Aleksandar Mitrovic, who netted twice in the 89th and 90+2nd minutes, sealing Al Nassr’s fate.
Notably, Al Hilal achieved this victory without the services of Brazilian sensation Neymar.
As the 2023-24 Saudi Pro League season unfolds, Al Hilal finds themselves comfortably perched at the summit of the table with 41 points. In pursuit, Al Nassr follows with 34 points, while Al Ahli Saudi is trailing with 30 points.
The defeat serves as a blow to Ronaldo’s ambitions with Al Nassr and raises questions about the team’s ability to challenge Al Hilal’s dominance in the league.
Ronaldo’s individual performance in the match didn’t escape the scrutiny of fans, who, after the final whistle, expressed their dissatisfaction by jeering at the Manchester United legend.
The atmosphere reached a peculiar crescendo when fans began chanting Lionel Messi’s name, a rival football icon.
However, Ronaldo, known for his resilience, responded with a sense of humor, laughing off the taunts.
In a poignant moment, as Ronaldo made his way to the dugout, he was captured on camera sending kisses to the fans, showcasing his trademark charisma and sportsmanship.
This gesture, amidst the disappointment of the defeat, highlights Ronaldo’s ability to maintain composure in challenging situations and win hearts even in adverse conditions.
The pressure on Ronaldo to deliver for Al Nassr is mounting, and as the season progresses, fans eagerly await whether the Portuguese maestro can turn the tide.
The league’s top scorer, Ronaldo undoubtedly faces a tough challenge in Saudi Arabia, and with each match, the scrutiny on his performance intensifies.
As the footballing world watches, the narrative of Ronaldo’s swansong in the Saudi Pro League unfolds with both anticipation and skepticism.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members