Cristiano Ronaldo was left in tears after his Al-Nassr lost the Saudi Arabian King’s Cup final to rivals AI-Hilal in a penalty shootout on Friday. The match, played at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah, ended 1-1 after extra time before Al-Hilal prevailed 5-4 in the shootout.
The heartbreak came just four days after Al-Nasser finished second in the Saudi Pro League, trailing Al-Hillal by 14 points. Ronaldo had provided some solace by setting a new league record with 35 goals, but it was not enough to offset the team’s longing for the championship.
The final itself was a tense affair, with two goals and three red cars. Al-Hilal took an early lead through Aleksandar Mitrovic’s header in the seventh minute. Al-Nassr suffered a setback in the second half when goalkeeper David Ospina was sent off for handling the ball outside the area.
Despite being a man down, Al-Nassr continued to push for an equalizer, with Ronaldo coming close with a brilliant bicycle kick that struck the post. The drama escalated when Ali Al-Bulaihi of Al-Hilal was also sent off for a headbutt on Sami Al-Najei. Al-Nassr seized the opportunity, with Ayman Yahya heading home the equalizer moments later.
As tensions soared, Al-Hilal’s Kalidou Koulibaly received a second yellow card, reducing his team to ten men. After the stalemate in extra time, the fate of the match was decided by a penalty shootout.
Ronaldo converted his penalty, but Al-Nasssr missed crucial spot-kicks from Ali Al-Hassan and Al-Nemer. Al-Hilal goalkeeper Yassine Bounou was the hero, saving two penalties to secure his team’s 11th King’s Cup title.
For Ronaldo, the defeat marked another season without major silverware. The 38-year-old, who joined Al-Nassr in December 2022, was visibly distraught, collapsing to the ground before being comforted by his teammates.
The loss was a bitter pill to swallow for Ronaldo, who had hoped to lead Al-Nassr to their first major trophy since his arrival. The Portuguese superstar has won numerous titles throughout his illustrious career, including five UEFA Champions League crowns and seven league titles in England, Spain, and Italy.
However, his move to Saudi Arabia has been met with mixed results. While he has continued to score goals at a prolific rate, Al-Nassr has struggled to compete with the likes of Al-Hilal for domestic honors.
The King’s Cup final defeat will undoubtedly sting for Ronaldo, who has always been driven by a winning mentality. The tears he shed on the pitch were a testament to his passion for the game and his desire to succeed with his new club.
Despite the disappointment, Ronaldo remains a global superstar and one of the most recognizable figures in world football. His move to Saudi Arabia has brought increased attention to the Saudi Pro League, with fans eager to see the former Real Madrid and Juventus star in action.
As Ronaldo looks ahead to next season, he will be determined to lead Al-Nassr to glory and prove that he still has what it takes to compete at the highest level. With his unrivaled work ethic and competitive spirit, few would bet against him bouncing back stronger than ever.
In the end, the King’s Cup was a heartbreaking experience for Ronaldo and his Al-Nassr teammates. However, the tears he shed on the pitch only serve to highlight his passion for the game and his desire to succeed. As he looks to the future, Ronaldo will undoubtedly be driven by the pain of this defeat, using it as motivation to lead Al-Nassr to new heights in the seasons to come.