Cristiano Ronaldo made headlines on Sunday after skipping the medal ceremony following Al-Nassr’s heavy defeat in the Saudi Super Cup final. The Portuguese superstar walked off the field immediately after the final whistle, opting not to join his teammates to collect their silver medals.
Al-Nassr suffered a crushing 4-1 loss to their fierce Riyadh rivals, Al-Hilal, in the match held on August 17 in Abha. Despite Ronaldo scoring the opening goal, Al-Nassr’s defense crumbled in the second half, conceding multiple goals in a mere 17-minute span, allowing Al-Hilal to dominate and lift the trophy.
Visibly frustrated, Ronaldo was seen gesturing in disbelief towards his teammates, clearly upset by the defensive errors that cost them the game. His disappointment was evident as he stormed down the tunnel, choosing not to partake in any post-match formalities, including the podium presentation for the silver medals.
Although Ronaldo has been prolific in front of goal, with an impressive 66 goals in 72 matches for Al-Nassr, his trophy cabinet has remained light since joining the club. So far, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner has managed to secure just one trophy in Saudi Arabia. In his debut season, Al-Nassr finished five points behind Al-Ittihad in the league, and this season, they came up short again, finishing second to Al-Hilal.
This latest Super Cup defeat adds to Ronaldo’s frustrations in the Middle East, where his individual brilliance has yet to translate into consistent team success.
Taunted with Messi Chants
To add salt to the wound, Al-Hilal fans filled the stadium with chants of “Messi” during the match. This is not the first time Ronaldo has been trolled with chants of his Argentine rival’s name, a recurring theme since he moved to Saudi Arabia. Despite their on-field rivalry, Messi’s presence looms large, even in matches where he isn’t involved.
While his time in the Middle East has been a rollercoaster on the field, Ronaldo is making moves off the pitch. Speculation is mounting about a new venture, with rumors suggesting the global icon could be launching his own podcast. With “CR7” branding spotted on microphones, fans and celebrities alike are excited about what could be Ronaldo’s next big step in expanding his already massive brand.
Whether or not the podcast rumors are true, one thing is certain: Cristiano Ronaldo remains a figure who can reinvent himself, whether it’s on the football field or in the business world. His competitive spirit and desire to stay in the spotlight ensure that he will continue to captivate audiences globally.
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