Cristiano Ronaldo's tough time in Saudi Arabian leagues continues, as Al Nassr missed out on the Saudi Pro League title after a 1-1 draw with Al Ettifaq on Saturday. After being eliminated from all three major tournaments - the Saudi Super Cup, the Riyadh Super Cup, and the Kings Cup of Champions - Ronaldo and Co hoped to make a comeback in the Pro League, but Al-Ittihad won the title after defeating Al Feiha 3-0.
Al Nassr have one more game left this season against Al Fateh, but they can't catch the table-toppers Al-Ittihad, who are five points ahead of them. The Riyadh-based club will have to settle for second place, as the Portugal captain's maiden season in Saudi Arabia will come to an end without a title.
Ronaldo played 84 minutes of the encounter at the Prince Mohamed bin Fahd Stadium, but he was unable to lead his team to victory. Youssoufou Niakate put Al Ettifaq ahead two minutes before halftime, but Al Nassr equalised in the 56th minute through Luiz Gustavo.
Meanwhile, Ahmed Sharahili's early goal (3rd minute) and two goals from Romarinho provided Al-Ittihad a 3-0 victory on Saturday, claiming their third title since 2009. Al Hilal, another Riyadh-based club, has been the most consistent team in the Saudi Pro League, winning the previous three titles and five crowns in the last six years.
Al Nassr were the table toppers when Ronaldo joined
Al Nassr acquired the services of the former Manchester United striker for a whopping amount, and he made his debut in the Saudi Arabian League in January. So far, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner has scored 14 goals in 16 league appearances for his new club and is the fifth highest scorer in the division this season.
Al Nassr were top of the table when Ronaldo joined, but they ended up missing out on the league title, and fans are blasting the legendary footballer on social media for it, with many saying his career is finished as he failed to win even the 'camel league'.
Here are some of the best fan reactions after Ronaldo's Al-Nassr miss out on Saudi Pro League title:
Ronaldo is finished. Get him out of my beautiful club. We were leading the table when he came
— Oneside🇬🇭🇦🇷🇳🇬 (@reallcobby) May 27, 2023
And they have the audacity to call Messi a bottler 😭😭😭😭😭😭
— Patrick Williams (@EFCxGoat) May 27, 2023
They were top of the table before he joined.
— 𓃵 (@AnkaraWessi) May 27, 2023
Another club ruined nice job Penaldo.
They were top of the table when he joined. Bro couldn’t even hold the lead in camel league 😭💀
— Banter Talks ©🇩🇪 (@Banter_Talks) May 27, 2023
Hopefully this was Ronaldo's last ever game in Saudi and Al Nassr.
— Manish (@tobimanish) May 27, 2023
The only way Al-Nassr could go back to winning titles: pic.twitter.com/J22GxIelT2
— Ibrahim Abubakar (@y4khalil) May 27, 2023
He’s so finished
— Adewuyi 💙❤️ (@hardeywhuyi1) May 27, 2023
Congratulations to Al-Ittihad for winning the Saudi Pro League.
— Adewuyi 💙❤️ (@hardeywhuyi1) May 27, 2023
FYI we were FIRST prior to Cristiano Ronaldo’s arrival 🤬
it wasn’t his fault man 💔 no help
— cfcmaz 🇵🇹🇺🇸 (@cfcmaz__) May 27, 2023
You think ronaldo cares? He’s there for the bag 💰
— RD³🧱 (@RuthlessDias) May 27, 2023