Cristiano Ronaldo's quest for a first Saudi Pro League title with Al-Nassr suffered a dramatic setback on Tuesday when a last-gasp own goal denied his side victory against fierce rivals Al-Hilal. The match finished 1-1, leaving Al-Nassr's championship celebrations on hold.
Al-Nassr had led 1-0 deep into stoppage time, but goalkeeper Bento fumbled a long throw-in into his own net in the eighth minute of added time, prompting despair from Ronaldo, who had been substituted earlier and watched from the bench.
"The dream is close," Ronaldo later posted on X. "Heads up, we have one more step to take!" The Portuguese star's rallying cry was aimed at his teammates and his more than 100 million followers.
Al-Nassr have not won the Saudi league since 2019, but they still hold a five-point lead over Al-Hilal with one match remaining. Victory against relegation-threatened Damac on May 21 would secure the title regardless of Al-Hilal's results.
Before that league decider, Ronaldo could win his first major trophy with Al-Nassr in the Champions League Two final against Japan's Gamba Osaka in Riyadh on Sunday. He is also approaching 1,000 career goals and will play in his sixth World Cup with Portugal later this year.
