Cristiano Ronaldo was overcome with emotion as Al-Nassr suffered a heart-wrenching defeat to their rivals Al-Hilal in the King’s Cup final.
The highly charged match, which saw three red cards, ended with Al-Hilal clinching a 5-4 victory in a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw in extra time at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah.
The 39-year-old Portuguese star, who set a new Saudi Pro League scoring record this season with an impressive 35 goals, was visibly distraught. As the final whistle blew and the outcome was sealed, Ronaldo collapsed to his knees in despair.
Despite his prolific performance throughout the season, this loss was a bitter pill to swallow. He was comforted by teammates and staff as he was led off the pitch, his tears reflecting the deep disappointment of falling short in such a crucial match.
Ronaldo joined Al-Nassr on a free transfer in January 2023 after leaving Manchester United. Since then, he has been a goal-scoring machine, netting 58 goals in 64 appearances for the club.
However, despite his individual brilliance, this season ends without any major trophies for the team. His only piece of silverware in Saudi Arabia remains the Arab Club Champions Cup won last year.
The King’s Cup final was a rollercoaster of emotions and events from start to finish. Al-Hilal took an early lead in the seventh minute with a goal from Aleksandar Mitrovic, formerly of Fulham.
The match’s intensity escalated when Al-Nassr’s goalkeeper, David Ospina, was sent off in the 56th minute for a foul, leaving his team at a significant disadvantage. Nevertheless, Al-Nassr fought back, and Ayman Yahya scored a dramatic late equalizer, pushing the game into extra time.
Extra time saw further drama with red cards for Al-Hilal’s Ali Al-Bulayhi and Kalidou Koulibaly, reducing them to nine men. The stage was set for a tense penalty shootout.
Ruben Neves, a former Wolves midfielder, and Alex Telles, an ex-Manchester United defender, both missed their penalties for Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr, respectively.
Ronaldo successfully converted his penalty, demonstrating his usual composure under pressure. However, the hero of the shootout was Al-Hilal’s goalkeeper, Yassine Bounou, who saved Al-Nassr’s final spot-kicks, securing a domestic double for his team.
This defeat marks a poignant moment in Ronaldo’s illustrious career. Despite his remarkable individual achievements and record-breaking season, the absence of a trophy underscores the challenges and unpredictability of football.
