Cristiano Ronaldo pictured playing for Al Nassr IMAGO/AFLOSPORT

Cristiano Ronaldo Frustrated As Al-Hilal Beat Al Nassr to Win Riyadh Season Cup

Originally posted on FanNation Futbol
By Robert Summerscales | Last updated 2/8/24

Cristiano Ronaldo made his first appearance of 2024 but was unable to prevent Al Nassr from losing 2-0 to Al-Hilal on Thursday.

Sergej Milinkovic-Savic scored the opening goal before a brilliant lobbed finish by Salem Aldawsari doubled Al-Hilal's lead in the 30th minute.

Al-Hilal came close to extending their advantage further on multiple occasions and had two goals disallowed for offside.

Ronaldo - who played the full 90 minutes - almost gifted Al-Hilal a goal midway through the first half when he gave the ball away in his own half with a no-look back-heeled pass.

Wtf Ronaldo seriously need to retire pic.twitter.com/sF8lV0LwNE
— Big V (@Its_BigV) February 8, 2024

At the other end, Ronaldo recorded four shots but only one forced keeper Yassine Bounou into action.

The former Real Madrid and Manchester United forward - playing just 72 hours after celebrating his 39th birthday - was caught offside three times.

A frustrated Ronaldo was shown a yellow card in the 53rd minute for kicking the ball away in anger after a free-kick had been awarded to Al-Hilal.

Ronaldo got frustrated by referee's decision and Kicked the ball to the Moon.pic.twitter.com/6MQhjWjzDv
— DAM (@FCBxDAM) February 8, 2024

Thursday's contest was the third and final game of the 2024 Riyadh Season Cup.

The mini-series had began on January 29 when Al-Hilal beat Lionel Messi's Inter Miami 4-3.

An Al Nassr side without Ronaldo then thrashed Miami 6-0 three days later.

But Thursday's defeat saw Al Nassr finish second in the round robin format behind Al-Hilal, who were rewarded with a shiny trophy, which had bizarrely been delivered before the game by WWE legend The Undertaker.

What's the Undertaker doing at Al Nassr vs Al Hilal

Cristano Ronaldo's influence is insane

pic.twitter.com/VuZivdXbg4
— Preeti (@MadridPreeti) February 8, 2024

Al-Hilal are also well placed to win the Saudi Pro League ahead of Al Nassr.

After 19 rounds of fixtures, Al-Hilal top the table with 53 points, while Al Nassr sit second on 46.

This article first appeared on FanNation Futbol and was syndicated with permission.

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