Ronaldo in Tears After Saudi King’s Cup Final Defeat

Cristiano Ronaldo was in tears after his Al Nassr side lost the King’s Cup final to Al Hilal on penalties late Friday, continuing his trophy drought in Saudi Arabia. The Portuguese superstar, whose arrival last year sparked a surge of top players to the oil-funded Saudi Pro League, slumped to the ground as Al Hilal celebrated their victory.

 

In a dramatic match marked by three red cards, including one for Al Nassr’s ex-Arsenal goalkeeper David Ospina, Ayman Yahya scored in the 88th minute to equalize after Aleksandar Mitrovic’s early strike for Al Hilal. However, Al Hilal triumphed 5-4 in the penalty shootout, securing a domestic treble after also winning the Super Cup and the Saudi Pro League, finishing unbeaten in domestic competitions. 

 

Despite Ronaldo’s impressive record of 35 goals in the Pro League, Al Nassr finished second in the league behind Al Hilal and lost to them again in the Super Cup. Ronaldo’s only silverware with Al Nassr so far is last year’s Arab Club Champions Cup. His lucrative contract, reportedly worth 400 million euros over two-and-a-half years, expires at the end of next season.