Cristiano Ronaldo refused to collect his runner-up medal and walked straight down the tunnel after Al-Nassr's devastating 1-0 defeat to Gamba Osaka in the AFC Champions League Two final on Saturday. The Portuguese forward's visible frustration highlighted the magnitude of the loss, as the Saudi giants fell short in their bid to claim their first continental trophy.
Playing at home in Riyadh, Al-Nassr were heavy favourites to lift the prize but were undone by a 29th-minute goal from Deniz Hummet. Despite multiple scoring chances, Ronaldo and his teammates could not find an equaliser, leaving them empty-handed on the continental stage. While the rest of the squad remained on the pitch to acknowledge their second-place finish alongside head coach Jorge Jesus, Ronaldo departed without participating in the medal ceremony—a rare display of emotion from the veteran forward.
A Season Marked by Missed Opportunities
The continental disappointment compounded an already turbulent week for Al-Nassr. Earlier, they were held to a 1-1 draw by title rivals Al-Hilal in the Saudi Pro League when goalkeeper Bento fumbled a throw-in into the net during stoppage time. Ronaldo was visibly devastated on the bench after that individual error cost his team the chance to clinch the domestic title early.
These back-to-back setbacks leave Al-Nassr's season hanging by a thread. The club currently sits two points clear of Al-Hilal at the top of the Saudi Pro League standings, with everything decided in a final-day fixture against Damac FC. A victory would end their seven-year drought for a domestic crown and provide some redemption after the AFC Champions League Two exit.
Manager Jorge Jesus has maintained his optimism despite the reverses, telling reporters: "We have a second chance. We still have a game to be happy." That final match now represents Al-Nassr's last opportunity to salvage what has been an otherwise disappointing campaign in continental and domestic competition.
