Cristiano Ronaldo's frustration boiled over in dramatic fashion during Al-Nassr's crucial Saudi Pro League match against Al-Ettifaq, which ended in a devastating 3-2 defeat on Friday night. The Portuguese star's emotional outburst came after his teammate Jhon Duran received a red card in stoppage time for a relatively mild slap to an opponent's head.
The match reached its climactic moment when former Liverpool midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum struck an 89th-minute winner, dealing a severe blow to Al-Nassr's title aspirations. The situation deteriorated further in added time when Duran's dismissal prompted Ronaldo to demonstratively boot the ball into the stands directly in front of the referee, surprisingly escaping any disciplinary action.
The incident sparked immediate criticism from fans on social media, with many pointing out the 40-year-old's childlike behavior. One user, @001Oxygen, stated, "Even at 40...Ronaldo still behaves like a kid. He should be punished for kicking the ball away." Another critic, @premliguefrauds, highlighted Ronaldo's disappointing performance statistics, noting "0 chances created, 0 accurate crosses, 0 successful dribbles, 0 goals," while criticizing his leadership as captain.
The comparison to his longtime rival Lionel Messi was inevitable, with @johnnycortes remarking, "Warning: 40 year old throwing a tantrum. If this was Messi getting away with this without a yellow card, Ronaldo FC tears would turn into a tsunami on this platform." @The_Forty_Four and @CrewsMat10 echoed similar sentiments about Ronaldo's emotional reactions.
Despite boasting an impressive attacking lineup featuring Ronaldo, Sadio Mane, and Duran, Al-Nassr now finds themselves eight points behind in the league standings with 13 matches remaining. The defeat has likely ended their title hopes for this season, shifting focus to potential improvements for the 2025-26 campaign.
The star-studded team's inability to capitalize on their offensive talent has become a pressing concern, suggesting that better coordination among their forward line might be crucial for future success. The challenge now lies in harnessing their considerable attacking potential while maintaining composure during crucial moments.
