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June 1, 2024
Cristiano Ronaldo cried after Al Hilal defeated Al Nassr in the King’s Cup final. Despite the game’s 1-1 draw outcome, Al Hilal prevailed 5-4 on penalties to win both the league and the cup, ensuring that Ronaldo hasn’t won a trophy since moving to Saudi Arabia.
Three players received red cards in a dramatic match, impacting the game’s flow. Al-Nassr’s goalkeeper, David Ospina, was sent off for a foul. At the same time, Al Hilal’s Kalidou Koulibaly was dismissed for a complex challenge. Ali Al Bulayhi received a red card after a confrontation.
These expulsions forced Al Hilal to adjust their tactics, creating a tense atmosphere as both teams played short-handed.
Al Hilal displayed remarkable resilience by taking the game to penalties, even while down to nine players for thirty minutes of extra time. In a surprising twist, both teams missed their first penalty kicks, adding to the drama of the shootout and showcasing Al Hilal’s fighting spirit despite their disadvantage.
Ronaldo wins it all despite scoring from the penalty spot.
Both teams scored the next four penalties, with Ronaldo scoring one for Al-Nassr before each team missed the sixth penalty. After Meshari Al Nemer missed Al-Nassr’s seventh spot-kick and Nasser Al Dawsari found the net with Al Hilal’s seventh, the cup’s final destination was determined.
Ronaldo, a player who is not afraid to express his feelings, showed a raw emotional response after the loss. Throughout his career, he has shown signs of emotional distress after losing crucial games. Ronaldo wept as teammates and staff comforted him as he lay on his back on the turf following the shootout loss. This moment resonated with many fans.
With 35 goals from 31 appearances, Ronaldo finished the Pro League season as the top scorer, a feat that the audience can take pride in. Since moving to Saudi Arabia, he has amassed a plethora of individual honors. Along with 11 assists, the Portuguese player was only two shy of Al Ahli’s Riyad Mahrez, who led the team in assists during the season.
The star has a stellar personal record, but the team needs to perform better.
However, he has yet to experience the team success he was accustomed to during his remarkable career in Europe. In the Saudi Pro League, Al-Nassr came in second place, trailing champion Al-Hilal by a massive 14 points but ahead of Al-Ahli in third place by 17 points.
Ronaldo and his colleagues in the Asian Champions League also faced significant disappointment when they lost to the eventual winners, Al Ain, in the quarterfinals; this loss was also decided by a dramatic penalty shootout, highlighting the intense competition and pressure of the tournament.
Although Ronaldo has undoubtedly contributed to raising football’s profile in the Gulf, his time as a five-time Ballon d’Or winner has not been without controversy since he relocated to Saudi Arabia. Earlier this year, during an Al Nassr Pro League victory over Al Shabab, Ronaldo was fined and suspended for reacting to taunts from rival supporters. After rival supporters began chanting Lionel Messi’s name, Ronaldo reacted by repeatedly putting his hand in front of his pelvis and cupping his ear.
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Katarzyna Nowak is a seasoned writer with over five years of experience in editorial content, news reporting, and football sportsbook app reviews. As an author for Football News Today, she combines her deep understanding of the sports betting industry with a passion for football, delivering insightful and accurate content that keeps readers informed and engaged.
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