Cristiano Ronaldo's wait for silverware with Al-Nassr continues after a painful 1-0 defeat to Japanese side Gamba Osaka in the AFC Champions League 2 final on Saturday. The 41-year-old Portugal captain was visibly devastated and chose not to collect his runners-up medal, sparking accusations of poor sportsmanship.
Match Summary
Deniz Hummet's first-half goal proved decisive at King Saud University Stadium, as Al-Nassr failed to convert their dominance into goals. Ronaldo missed several opportunities and left the pitch immediately after the final whistle, bypassing the medal ceremony.
This defeat comes just days after a costly 1-1 draw with title rivals Al-Hilal, where a late goalkeeping error by Bento denied Al-Nassr victory. That result reduced their lead in the Saudi Pro League to two points with one match remaining.
Ronaldo's Trophy Drought
Since joining Al-Nassr in December 2022, Ronaldo has now lost four cup finals. His only trophy remains the 2023 Arab Club Champions Cup, an unofficial competition. The former Manchester United star's frustration was evident as he left the pitch without acknowledging the runners-up medals.
Al-Nassr's Title Hopes
Despite the setback, Al-Nassr remain in contention for the Saudi Pro League title. They hold a two-point lead over Al-Hilal ahead of the final matchday, where a win against Damac on Thursday would secure the championship.
Manager Jorge Jesus urged his team to recover quickly: "We didn't get what we wanted here, but there is one more final for us. We have five days to prepare; no time for grieving." Ronaldo posted on Instagram after the Al-Hilal draw: "The dream is close. Heads up, we have one more step to take!"
Al-Nassr must now regroup to avoid ending the season without major silverware, as Ronaldo's pursuit of a first major Saudi trophy continues.
