Cristiano Ronaldo cut a distraught figure as his hopes of finally lifting the Saudi Pro League title at the fourth attempt faced a dramatic setback on Tuesday night. Ronaldo, 41, has scored 127 goals in 146 games for Al-Nassr since joining the club after leaving Manchester United in November 2022. However, despite a hugely decorated career, the only trophy he has won in the Middle East is the Arab Club Champions Cup in 2023.
He looked set to finally end that drought as the Portuguese superstar, who earns £488,000 per day in Saudi Arabia, helped his side to a 1-0 lead over rivals Al-Hilal. Mohamed Simakan's first-half strike looked set to take Jorge Jesus' side eight points clear of Al-Hilal, with their rivals having just two league games of the season left. Ronaldo was then substituted off with seven minutes to go to a rapturous reception at Al-Awwal Park, but disaster struck in the eighth minute of added time.
As Al-Hilal launched a final desperate long throw into the box, Al-Nassr goalkeeper Bento came rushing out to punch the ball away. But as he did so, the Brazilian keeper, who was a target for West Ham in January, crashed into his teammate Inigo Martinez and instead punched the ball over his own head. Despite Abdulelah Al-Amri's desperate attempts to clear the ball, it had already gone over the line, with Bento's own goal ultimately keeping the title race alive.
Following the game, Ronaldo was captured by cameras sitting alone in Al-Nassr's dugout. The 41-year-old had been watched by Georgina Rodriguez and his children in the stands, yet he looked distraught and near to tears as he sat motionless, before an Al-Nassr official came over to give him a supportive tap on the shoulder. Ronaldo eventually got up, shrugged his shoulders, and shook his head before walking off down the tunnel with his head pointing towards the floor.
Al-Nassr have not won their domestic league since 2019, and they have finished second, second, and third in Ronaldo's three previous campaigns at the club. They remain strong favourites for the title, though, with Ronaldo and his teammates still five points clear of Al-Hilal, although their rivals have two games remaining as opposed to their one. If Al-Nassr, who have a better goal difference by five, win their final match at home to 15th-placed Damac next Wednesday, they will lift the title for the first time in seven years.
Ronaldo has enjoyed another superb season, although he is unlikely to take home the Golden Boot, with Al-Ahli's Ivan Toney (31 goals) and Al-Qadsiah star Julian Quinones (29 goals) having scored more than his 26 strikes. The likes of Kingsley Coman, Joao Felix, Sadio Mane, Marcelo Brozovic, and Inigo Martinez are some of Ronaldo's famous teammates at Al-Nassr.
