Al-Nassr suffered a damaging setback in their Saudi Pro League title ambitions after a dramatic 3-1 defeat to fierce rivals Al-Hilal, a match that saw Cristiano Ronaldo at the center of post-match debate.
The turning point arrived in the 82nd minute when Ronaldo, who had earlier given Al-Nassr the lead, was substituted with his side trailing by just one goal. The decision did not sit well with the Portuguese superstar, who appeared visibly frustrated as he made his way toward the touchline.
Ronaldo had been instrumental in a dominant first-half display from Al-Nassr. He broke the deadlock shortly before halftime, showcasing once again why he remains a decisive figure even at 40 years old. However, the game changed dramatically after the interval.
Al-Hilal drew level in the 57th minute when Salem Al-Dawsari calmly converted from the penalty spot. Momentum swung firmly in their favor soon after, as Mohamed Kanno struck to put the league leaders ahead. Matters worsened for Al-Nassr when goalkeeper Nawaf Alaqidi was shown a red card, leaving his side with ten men and an uphill battle.
Despite still being within touching distance, head coach Jorge Jesus opted to replace Ronaldo late in the match, introducing midfielder Wesley in his place. As he left the pitch, cameras caught Ronaldo mouthing the word “impossible,” a clear sign of his disbelief at the decision.
Although he shared a brief handshake with Jesus on the sidelines, Ronaldo’s body language told a different story. His frustration lingered, and moments later, following Ruben Neves’ stoppage-time penalty that sealed a 3-1 win for Al-Hilal, Ronaldo was again caught on camera smiling wryly and making a subtle “goodbye” gesture with his left hand.
The meaning behind the gesture quickly became a talking point. Some interpreted it as Ronaldo conceding defeat in yet another title race, while others saw it as a sarcastic response to being substituted in such a crucial moment.
The loss has serious implications for Al-Nassr’s season. After opening the 2025–26 campaign with an impressive run of ten consecutive victories, they have now suffered three defeats in their last four matches. That slump has left them seven points adrift of Al-Hilal at the top of the table.
Despite the disappointment, Ronaldo continues to chase personal milestones. His goal against Al-Hilal took his career tally to an astonishing 959 goals, keeping alive his ambition of reaching the unprecedented mark of 1,000 career goals.
Trophies, however, have been harder to come by during his time in Saudi Arabia. Since arriving in Riyadh, Ronaldo has only lifted the Arab Club Champions Cup in 2023. Nevertheless, he remains committed to the project, having signed a contract extension that will keep him at Al-Nassr until 2027.
Retirement appears far from his mind. Ronaldo is widely expected to captain Portugal at the 2026 World Cup, as he continues to defy age and maintain his influence both on and off the pitch. Reports suggest he is also pushing the club to strengthen their squad during the upcoming winter transfer window, underlining his ongoing ambition to compete at the highest level.
For now, though, the focus remains on a painful defeat, a controversial substitution, and a title race that is slipping further out of Al-Nassr’s grasp.
