Cristiano Ronaldo cut an emotional figure and refused to collect his runners-up medal after Al-Nassr lost 1-0 to Gamba Osaka in the AFC Champions League Two final on Saturday night. The 41-year-old Portuguese icon left the pitch in devastation while Al-Nassr staff attempted to console him following the defeat on home soil.
Visiting side Gamba Osaka secured the trophy and kept a clean sheet after Deniz Hummet scored the decisive goal in the 29th minute. Host side Al-Nassr failed to recover despite Ronaldo and fellow superstar team-mate Sadio Mane missing a catalogue of chances during their attempt to equalize.
Ronaldo did not turn up to collect his runners-up medal during the presentation of honours after the match. The defeat ended Al-Nassr's hopes of claiming multiple trophies this season.
Saudi Pro League Title Race
The heartbreak in the continental final came just days after Al-Nassr suffered another setback in domestic competition. A bizarre 98th-minute own goal on Tuesday allowed title rivals Al-Hilal to secure a late equalizer, delaying Al-Nassr's title celebrations and keeping Al-Hilal's Saudi Pro League hopes alive heading into the final day.
Ronaldo, who earns £488,000-per-day in Saudi Arabia, was substituted with seven minutes remaining while Al-Nassr held a 1-0 lead. He cut a deflated figure on the bench after Al-Hilal scored in the closing seconds.
Al-Nassr had looked poised to secure their first Saudi Pro League title since Ronaldo's arrival in January 2023. They now risk missing out on the trophy if they lose against Damac on May 21, as second-place Al-Hilal sit just two points behind them.
Trophy Drought and Golden Boot Standings
Since his move to the Middle East following a decorated career at Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus, and Sporting Lisbon, Ronaldo is still waiting to celebrate his first major honour in Saudi Arabia. His only silverware with Al-Nassr remains the Arab Club Champions Cup, which he lifted shortly after his arrival.
Despite enjoying another superb season, the Portugal international is unlikely to win the Golden Boot. Ronaldo has scored 26 goals this season, placing him behind Al-Ahli forward Ivan Toney with 32 goals and Al-Qadsiah star Julian Quinones with 30 goals.