Cristiano Ronaldo could not hide his disappointment after Al-Nassr were denied their first league title in seven years and the Manchester United and Real Madrid legend could do nothing about it
Cristiano Ronaldo and Al-Nassr were denied the Saudi Pro League title in cruel fashion after a goalkeeping howler from Bento deep into injury time.
A win against Al-Hilal in the Capital Derby would have given Ronaldo’s side their first title since 2019 meaning they couldn’t be caught by their rivals. Al-Nassr led heading into injury time thanks to Mohamed Simakan’s first-half strike, with Jorge Jesus’ side on the brink of ending their seven-year title drought.
In the action-packed latter stages of the game, tempers flared on the touchline between the two teams. A touchline brawl erupted involving Al Hilal defender Theo Hernandez, and both benches got involved with Jesus’ assistant coach shown a red card.
The hosts were still leading at this point and as Al-Hilal pushed forward, the visitors launched a long throw into the box and Bento came rushing out to punch the ball clear, but got it all wrong.
The Brazilian goalkeeper collided with his own defender and the ball dropped into the back of the net in the 99th minute.
The TV cameras panned to Ronaldo on the bench, after he’d been substituted in the 83rd minute. The former Manchester United and Real Madrid star could not hide his disappointment as he marched down the tunnell after the final whistle.
It means his wait for a league title in Saudi Arabia continued after joining the club in 2023.
A win would have given Al-Nassr an unassailable seven point lead at the top of the table, but the draw with Al-Hilal means the visitors remain five points behind them and have a game in hand on their title rivals.
The title race could come down to the final day when Al-Nassr take on Damac, while Al-Hilal have a game against Neom this weekend before a clash with Al-Fayha on the final day of the season.
Despite his disappointment at the late error, Ronaldo shared a rallying cry on social media after the game.
The Portuguese international said: “The dream is close. Heads up, we have one more step to take! Thank you all for the amazing support tonight!”
Ronaldo is yet to win Saudi Arabia’s biggest prize since his move to Al-Nassr and much has been made of the absent silverware.
He couldn’t get the better of his former Real Madrid teammate Karim Benzema, who won the title with Al-Ittihad 12 months ago.
It was the first time the two stars have gone up against one another since the French forward’s move to Al-Hilal, a transfer that saw Ronaldo go on strike in protest at the club’s owners, the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund.
The 41-year-old was reportedly unhappy at the club’s transfer activity compared to their top-flight rivals, who are owned by the same fund.
When he did return, Ronaldo helped Al-Nassr to 17 wins from 19 games, scoring 26 Saudi Pro League goals in the process.