Cristiano Ronaldo’s time in Saudi Arabia is not going well, with the Portuguese star currently in the swansong chapter of his legendary career. On Friday, the former Real Madrid player failed to register a goal as Al Nassr suffered a humiliating 0-3 defeat to arch-rivals Al Hilal at the King Fahd Stadium in Riyadh.
In the 64th minute, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic opened the scoring for the league leaders, which was followed by a brace from star striker Aleksandar Mitrovic (89′, 90+2′). Al Hilal was also without Brazil’s Neymar, but it didn’t matter because they extended their league lead.
Al Hilal currently leads the 2023-24 Saudi Pro League table with 41 points, followed by Al Nassr (34) and Al Ahli Saudi (30). Ronaldo’s impact on Friday’s match was perfectly summed up when fans booed him after full-time with Lionel Messi chants. But Ronaldo laughed it off and was spotted sending kisses to the fans as he walked out to the dugout.
Ronaldo blew kisses at the Al-Hilal fans as they chanted Messi's name 😅
(via @footballontnt)pic.twitter.com/VVTrQg4q0h
— B/R Football (@brfootball) December 1, 2023
Ronaldo moved to Saudi Arabia in the winter transfer window following the 2022 World Cup, amid much pomp and hype. After a controversial interview with British journalist Piers Morgan, his contract with Manchester United was ended. Ronaldo started brilliantly, but his form faded and Al Nassr dropped from first place in the Saudi Pro League, with Al Ittihad winning the title last season.