Cristiano Ronaldo’s forgettable night as Al-Nassr falls to Al-Hilal in Cup final.
Cristiano Ronaldo experienced a disappointing match as his team, Al-Nassr, was defeated 0-2 by Al-Hilal in the Riyadh Season Cup final. The game was marked by two first-half goals from Al-Hilal’s players, Mohammed Kanno and Salem Aldawsari, but it was Ronaldo’s behavior that stole the spotlight after the match.
In a video circulated on social media, Ronaldo was seen reacting to Messi chants with a visibly agitated gesture and shouting, “I am here now. Not Messi.” Another video captured Ronaldo making an obscene gesture towards Al-Hilal fans as he exited the pitch, prompting boos from the spectators.
Earlier, Al Nassr had triumphed over Inter Miami with a resounding 6-0 victory, but Ronaldo missed the match due to a calf injury. This injury had also led to the cancellation of Al Nassr’s two-game China tour the previous week, robbing fans of the highly anticipated showdown between Ronaldo and long-time rival Messi, who made a late substitute appearance in the friendly match in Riyadh.
Ronaldo and Messi, who have collectively won 13 Ballon d’Or awards, last faced each other in January 2023 when Ronaldo’s team was defeated 5-4 by Messi’s PSG. In the absence of the two stars, Brazilian Talisca shone with a hat-trick as Al Nassr dominated their Major League Soccer opponents, netting three goals in the first 12 minutes.
Amidst the disappointment of the Cup final loss and Ronaldo’s controversial behavior, it is clear that the rivalry between Ronaldo and Messi continues to captivate the football world, leaving fans eagerly awaiting their next encounter on the pitch.
(With AFP inputs)
