Cristiano Ronaldo was substituted at half-time during Al Nassr's clash with Al Ettifaq, with manager Ange Postecoglou refusing to tolerate the forward's behaviour. The decision came with his side trailing 2-0 and down to 10 men after goalkeeper Bento was sent off.
Postecoglou's bold call pays off
Postecoglou, just three games into his Al Nassr tenure, hauled Ronaldo off in a move that was controversial but in the best interests of the team. The Portuguese star, described as resembling an expensive and ageing passenger, headed down the tunnel in another of his infamous sulks.
Al Nassr went on to complete a remarkable comeback, winning the match 3-2. Ronaldo was nowhere to be seen at the final whistle as his team-mates celebrated the triumph.
A stain on a glorious career
Ronaldo's lack of self-awareness is leaving a stain on his long and glorious career, which is ending on a sour note. At the start of 2026, he went on strike over what he felt was a lack of financial backing from his club compared to title rivals Al Hilal.
This came despite the fact he costs Al Nassr the thick end of £500,000-a-day. The bottom line is that Ronaldo has morphed into a maelstrom of mediocrity, resembling a punch drunk boxer stumbling around a ring, unable to call upon the talent he once had.
Time for Al Nassr to act
There is a reason Manchester United sacked him, and if Al Nassr had any sense, they would now do the same thing because he's way more trouble than he's worth.
