In a surprising turn of events, Cristiano Ronaldo’s frustration was evident as Al Nassr suffered a crushing 4-1 defeat against rivals Al Hilal in the Saudi Super Cup on Saturday. The Portuguese superstar, who joined Al Nassr earlier this year, is yet to secure a domestic trophy with the Saudi club, and this latest loss has only added to his mounting disappointment.
During the match, cameras captured Ronaldo displaying visible irritation after Al Hilal scored their fourth goal. The 38-year-old was seen throwing his arms up in exasperation, making gestures that suggested his team was “asleep,” followed by another action that has sparked controversy and gone viral across social media platforms.
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“Cristiano Ronaldo”:
Por los gestos que hizo a sus compañeros de Al Nassr en la #SaudiSuperCup https://t.co/oHMl7KxzI3 pic.twitter.com/RJbemcDVue— ¿Por qué es tendencia? (@porquetendencia) August 17, 2024
Match Overview
The encounter began positively for Al Nassr, with Cristiano Ronaldo finding the back of the net just before halftime, giving his team a 1-0 lead. However, the second half saw a dramatic shift in momentum as Al Hilal launched a relentless offensive, scoring four goals within a span of 17 minutes.
Sergej Milinkovic-Savic initiated the comeback for Al Hilal, executing a brilliant one-two with Aleksandar Mitrovic before slotting the ball past Al Nassr’s goalkeeper. Mitrovic then turned from provider to scorer eight minutes later, heading in a precise cross from Ruben Neves to put Al Hilal ahead.
The Serbian striker wasn’t done yet, as he netted his second goal of the night after receiving a flawless pass from Malcolm, unleashing a powerful shot that left the Al Nassr defense scrambling. Malcolm sealed the victory in the 72nd minute by capitalizing on a mistake from Al Nassr’s goalkeeper Bento, easily tapping the ball into the net from close range.
Post-Match Reactions
Reflecting on the remarkable turnaround, Mitrovic expressed his satisfaction with the team’s performance in the latter half of the game. “We demonstrated our true capabilities in the second half,” he said. “We faced some challenges in the first half but made the necessary adjustments after the break. Remaining calm was key, and it’s a great feeling to secure a trophy at the start of the season.”
On the other hand, Ronaldo’s evident displeasure has become a talking point among fans and pundits alike, especially considering his high-profile move to the Saudi Pro League and the expectations that come with it. The alleged obscene gestures have drawn mixed reactions, with some criticizing his conduct while others empathize with his frustration over the team’s performance.
Looking Ahead
Al Nassr will need to regroup quickly and address the shortcomings that led to this significant defeat. With Ronaldo’s leadership and experience, the team will aim to bounce back in upcoming fixtures and strive for the much-anticipated silverware that has so far eluded them since his arrival.
The viral footage of Ronaldo’s reactions serves as a reminder of the intense pressure and high stakes involved in professional football, where emotions often run high both on and off the pitch.
