In the Riyadh Season Cup final, a preseason tournament, Al Nassr lost against Al Hilal 0–2, leaving Cristiano Ronaldo completely disappointed. Sergej Milinkovic-Savic (17′) and Salem Aldawasari (30′) scored to help Al Hilal win the trophy.
The Al Hilal fans were happy with their team’s performance and specifically made fun of Ronaldo during the game by chanting “Lionel Messi.” The Messi chants began after Ronaldo missed a scoring opportunity in the first half, which turned out to be one-sided.
In reply, the Portuguese star gave the crowd a thumbs up before making his signature ‘calm down’ gesture.
🗣️ Cristiano Ronaldo to Al Hilal Fans: "I am here… not Messi."
Tears man he's so Insecure 😭😭😭pic.twitter.com/13DrhhObCZ
— ACE (@FCB_ACEE) February 8, 2024
Meanwhile, Ronaldo upset supporters with a controversial dugout incident. While heading to the tunnel, a fan threw an Al Hilal shawl at Ronaldo, which he held and pointed to his crotch area before throwing it away.
🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨
تصرف غير اخلاقي من كريستيانو رونالدو؛ حيث وضع شال الهلال في مكان غير لائق ثم قام برميه!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/OUBzFWKjP7
— نواف الآسيوي 🇸🇦 (@football_ll55) February 8, 2024
Ronaldo will return to action for Al Nassr in their AFC Champions League Round of 16 first-leg match against Al Feiha in Riyadh on February 21. The ex Real Madrid player will be hoping to regain his form and go back to winning ways with Al Nassr.
In the 2023–24 Saudi Pro League season, Ronaldo is in scorching form, having already scored 20 goals in 18 games along with nine assists. In five AFC Champions League games, he has also scored three goals and provided three assists.