Saudi, Aug 20: Cristiano Ronaldo’s Saudi Arabian adventure took a bitter turn when he chose to skip the medal ceremony following Al Nassr’s 4-1 defeat to Al Hilal in the Saudi Super Cup final. Despite Ronaldo giving Al Nassr an early lead with a goal just before halftime, the team collapsed in the second half, leading to a crushing loss.
The loss was compounded by Al Hilal fans chanting “Messi” at Ronaldo, a nod to his long-time rival Lionel Messi. The situation escalated when Al Hilal captain Salem Al-Dawsari mimicked Messi’s iconic World Cup celebration, adding to the rivalry’s intensity.
Ronaldo’s frustration was palpable as the match slipped away. Cameras captured his visible anger as he gestured towards his teammates, seemingly blaming them for not putting in their best effort. At the medal ceremony, Ronaldo opted to head straight to the locker room, refusing to accept his runner-up medal alongside his teammates.
This incident has sparked discussions about Ronaldo’s temperament and the pressure he faces as he enters his second full season with Al Nassr. Speculation about his future continues, with former teammate Rio Ferdinand suggesting that Ronaldo will remain in football for at least three more years. “Cristiano has the ability to be a very successful manager; we’ve seen his energy and his passion,” Ferdinand said. “He ain’t going nowhere.”
Another ex-teammate, Louis Saha, praised Ronaldo’s potential as a future manager, noting his experience under notable coaches like Jose Mourinho, Carlo Ancelotti, and Sir Alex Ferguson. “Cristiano has the desire of Diego Simeone and the credibility of Zinedine Zidane,” Saha said. “He could be a manager or a club president. His dedication and hard work are admirable, even if he makes mistakes like anyone else.”
The drama from the Saudi Super Cup final underscores the high stakes and intense pressure Ronaldo faces as he navigates his career in Saudi Arabia.