Al-Nasr’s Cristiano Ronaldo (38) was completely mocked by Al-Hilal fans who chanted “Messi~Messi~” at him.
Al-Nasr suffered a 0-3 defeat at the hands of their arch-rivals Al-Hilal in the 15th round of the 2023-2024 Saudi Professional Football League away leg at King Fahd International Stadium in Riyadh on Monday (Nov. 1).
Al-Hilal scored a 19th-minute opener from Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and two late goals from Aleksandar Mitrovic (44th minute, two minutes of stoppage time) to secure the win.
With the win, second-placed Alnasr improved to 11W1D3L (34 points) and extended its lead over first-placed Alhilal (13W2L, 41 points) to seven points.
With more than 50,000 fans in the stands, Ronaldo, who is leading the league in scoring this season, had to watch Alnasr lose without registering an attacking point.
As the five-time Ballon d’Or winner warmed up before the match, he was greeted with cheers from the thousands of Alnasr away fans wearing his No. 7 jersey, as well as boos from the Al-Hilal home fans.
Ronaldo appeared unperturbed as he walked off the field at halftime, laughing and blowing kisses in the air as Al-Hilal fans chanted and taunted Messi.
Ronaldo has scored 15 goals in his last 14 games to lead Alnas to second place in the league.
Alnas’ roster includes former Liverpool star Sadio Mane, Croatian midfielder Marcelo Brozovic, and former Manchester United defender Alex Telles.
Alnasr coach Luis Castro said: “Cristiano is an example for everyone and a lucky case for Alnasr. He is the epitome of rigor, ambition, and discipline,” he praised.
“A lot of people want to be like Cristiano Ronaldo, but very few people want to work like Cristiano Ronaldo. If you want something, you have to give everything to get it,” he said, praising Ronaldo’s unwavering passion.
Ronaldo rattled the net with a powerful volley midway through the second half when Alnasr were trailing 0-1, but was denied by an offside flag.