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Cristiano Ronaldo was left devastated on the pitch as Al Nassr suffered a 0-1 defeat to Japan’s Gamba Osaka in the 2026 AFC Champions League Two final on Saturday, which denied him the title.
The 41-year-old captain, who led his side to the decisive match with a strong semi-final victory over Al Ahli, watched on as a Deniz Hummet goal proved the difference at the end of a frustrating evening in Riyadh.
Watch: Heartbroken Ronaldo walks off pitch in tears after Al Nassr losses AFC Champions League Two Final title
The loss denied Al Nassr their first major continental title under Ronaldo and extended the Portuguese superstar’s trophy drought since joining the Saudi club in 2022. The match remained goalless until Hummet struck for Gamba Osaka, capitalizing on defensive lapses from the home side.
Despite dominating possession for long spells and creating several opportunities, Al Nassr failed to find a clinical finish against a well-organized Japanese outfit. Ronaldo, wearing the team’s yellow kit, was seen walking head-down across the pitch after the full-time whistle, exchanging brief words with officials and staff as the disappointment of another near-miss sank in.
The result marks another chapter in Ronaldo’s ambitious Saudi Pro League project, where individual brilliance has often been overshadowed by collective shortcomings in high-stakes fixtures. While Al Nassr has enjoyed domestic success and deep runs in Asian competitions, the wait for a major trophy continues for the five-time Ballon d’Or winner as he enters the twilight of his storied career.
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