Cristiano Ronaldo engaged in a brief heated discussion with a referee on the field following Al Nassr’s defeat to Al Hilal in the Riyadh Season Cup final.
The game, contested between the two teams during the mid-season break of the Saudi Pro League, saw Al Nassr attempting to overcome the side currently leading them by seven points in the league standings.
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However, the match began unfavorably for Ronaldo and his team, as Al Hilal midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic scored the opening goal just 17 minutes into the game.
Saudi Arabia international Salem Al Dawsari then extended Al Hilal’s lead to 2-0 at the 30-minute mark, which ultimately proved to be the final goal of the match.
It was a disappointing outcome for Luis Castro’s side, who managed only three shots on target throughout the entire 90 minutes.
Ronaldo himself received a yellow card early in the second half for angrily smashing the ball into the crowd in response to a decision made by referee Tori Penso.
Cristiano Ronaldo was HEATED after losing in the Riyadh Season Cup final. ???? pic.twitter.com/S531XJKSmc
— DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) February 8, 2024
Al Nassr failed to mount a comeback, denying Ronaldo the chance to receive the Riyadh Season Cup from WWE legend The Undertaker.
He was in attendance at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh. Instead, Al Hilal claimed the trophy, leaving Ronaldo and his teammates with the runner-up position.
After the match, Ronaldo appeared visibly frustrated as he attempted to pass through an on-field official during an honorary ‘guard of honour’.
Despite his irritation, he acknowledged the applause as he led his teammates through, though clearly disappointed with the outcome of the match.
