Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr suffered a crushing 4-1 defeat to Al-Hilal in the Saudi Super Cup final on August 17, 2024, at Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Sports City in Abha. Despite Ronaldo opening the scoring in the 44th minute, Al-Hilal mounted an impressive comeback in the second half, completely dominating the game with four goals between the 55th and 72nd minutes.Ronaldo’s frustration was palpable throughout the match, particularly after Al-Hilal’s goals. He was seen making controversial gestures towards his teammates, including mimicking sleep and implying fear. After the third goal, Ronaldo made a gesture suggesting the game was already over. These actions have sparked debate among fans and pundits alike, with many viewing them as disrespectful to his team and tarnishing his legacy.The defeat was further compounded when Al-Hilal’s captain, Salem Al-Dawsari, celebrated by mimicking Lionel Messi’s 2022 World Cup trophy gesture, seen as a provocation towards Ronaldo. In a final act of frustration, Ronaldo left the field immediately after the final whistle, bypassing the medal ceremony and leaving the stadium without accepting his runner-up medal.This loss marks Ronaldo’s third consecutive defeat in the Saudi Super Cup and extends his trophy drought with Al-Nassr since joining the club in 2023. The defeat has raised questions about Al-Nassr’s future, with reports suggesting that coach Luis Castro’s position may be under review.Despite the setback, Ronaldo and Al-Nassr will aim to bounce back in their Saudi Pro League opener against Al Raed next Thursday. However, the manner of this defeat and Ronaldo’s reaction have cast a shadow over the team’s prospects and the Portuguese star’s tenure in Saudi football.
Key points
- Al-Nassr lost 4-1 to Al-Hilal in the Saudi Super Cup final, despite Ronaldo scoring the opening goal.
- Ronaldo made controversial gestures towards his teammates during the match, expressing frustration.
- Ronaldo bypassed the medal ceremony, refusing to accept the runner-up medal.
- The defeat raises questions about Al-Nassr’s future and coach Luis Castro’s position.
Contradictions👾While most sources report Ronaldo’s frustration and controversial gestures, the exact nature and interpretation of these gestures vary slightly between reports.
