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Empty-handed Ronaldo ends dismal debut season in Saudi

by Reuters

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia May 29, 2023 - 1:31 pm GMT+3
Al Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo reacts during the Saudi Pro League match between Al-Nassr and Al Ettifaq, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Jan. 22, 2023. (EPA Photo)
Al Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo reacts during the Saudi Pro League match between Al-Nassr and Al Ettifaq, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Jan. 22, 2023. (EPA Photo)
by Reuters May 29, 2023 1:31 pm

Saudi Arabia's Al-Nassr succumbed to the allure of acquiring five-time Ballon d'Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo in January.

Despite the remarkable goal-scoring exploits of the prolific Portuguese maestro, their season concluded with no silverware to show for their efforts.

Ronaldo's hopes of silverware ended on Saturday as Al-Ittihad clinched the league title for the first time since 2009 with one match to spare.

Ronaldo left Manchester United last year following an explosive television interview in which he said he felt betrayed by the club and did not respect their Dutch manager Erik ten Hag.

Al-Nassr stepped in to sign him until 2025 in a deal reportedly worth over 200 million euros ($214.61 million) to make him the world's highest-paid athlete, according to Forbes.

He scored 14 goals in 16 league games but failed to net during a 1-1 draw with Al-Ettifaq on Saturday in which he was substituted.

Real Madrid's all-time leading scorer failed to impress in several key matches, often taking out his frustration on his teammates.

The first trophy to slip from his grasp was the Saudi Super Cup when his team lost 3-1 to Al-Ittihad in the semifinals in January.

"It is difficult to adapt in the first five, six, or seven games. Everyone knows my movements now and I am beginning to understand the movements of the rest of the players. Step by step we can reach higher levels," Ronaldo said.

Al-Nassr suffered a heavy blow in the league race title on March 9 when they lost 1-0 to Al-Ittihad, Brazilian Romarinho scoring the winning goal and overshadowing Ronaldo.

After a draw with Al-Fayha last month, Al-Nassr sacked coach Rudi Garcia amid reports of disagreements with the players, hitting the team's hopes of winning the title for the first time since 2019.

Al-Nassr then lost 2-0 to arch-rivals Al-Hilal before a surprise 1-0 defeat by lowly Al-Wehda in the King's Cup semi-finals.

That left the 38-year-old Ronaldo's hopes of winning a trophy dependent on Al-Ittihad stumbling in the league and that did not happen.

Al Nassr's failings were not all Ronaldo's fault, of course, although his presence appeared to affect his teammate Anderson Talisca with the Brazilian scoring 11 goals in 11 games before Ronaldo's arrival and seven in 11 alongside him.

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  • Last Update: May 29, 2023 5:10 pm
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