Al Nassr suffered a devastating loss to the Japanese club Kawasaki Frontale on Wednesday to endure elimination from the AFC Champions League from the semifinal stage. The Saudi Pro League side ended up with a one-goal deficit, as the game concluded with a 3-2 scoreline in favour of Kawasaki at King Abdullah Sports City, Jeddah. Cristiano Ronaldo went goalless in the match.
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Cristiano Ronaldo Faces Immense Criticism Following Costly Miss
The spree of disappointments continues to strike AL Nassr as yet again they could not grab hold of the Asian Champions League trophy. They got knocked out by Kawasaki Frontale this time. They entered the tie as the favourites but on the day goals from Tatsuya Ito (10th minute), Yuto Ozaki (41st minute), and Akihiro Lenaga (76th minute) showed them the exit door. Sadio Mane (28th minute) and Ayman Yaya (87th minute) got to be on the scoresheet for Al Nassr but the Japanese side managed to protect their one-goal lead in the end to book a place in the final of the tournament.
Cristiano Ronaldo, who received all the attention ahead of the game because of who he is, unfortunately, had a quiet day at the office. Nevertheless, as has happened several times in his career, Ronaldo had the opportunity to become a hero by slotting it in the added time, but contrary to many occasions, this time the Portuguese superstar missed the chance to equalise from point-blank range.
The miss brought Cristiano Ronaldo in a negative light, and he faced the wrath of angry fans on social media.
Cristiano Ronaldo vs #8 of Japanese League:
— Hater Central (@TheHateCentral) April 30, 2025
90 Minutes
0 Goals/Assists
3 Shots off Target
2 Big Chances Missed
13 Possessions Lost
MR. CHAMPIONS LEAGUE IS FINISHED 💔💔💔 pic.twitter.com/W84OBMoc8N
There’s no happiness for Ronaldo at the end of his career
— A (@lconicCristiano) April 30, 2025
It’s honestly so embarrassing that we have to give away tickets for free and beg the fans to attend our matches. Let alone a semi-final.
— Al Nassr FC (@Al_Nassrt) April 30, 2025
Cristiano Ronaldo should be ashamed. pic.twitter.com/C7nLGmbxbC
Al Nassr haven’t won a trophy since Cristiano Ronaldo joined 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/LoCRMHwH0T
— 17 (@DxBruyneSZN) April 30, 2025
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Ronaldo's Wait Prolongs
With the loss, Cristiano Ronaldo's wait to win a major trophy in Saudi Arabia continues. Al Nassr have an outside chance to clinch the Saudi Pro League 2024-25, but it will be a daunting task considering Al-Ittihad are sitting pretty at the top, 8 points clear of Al Nassr. Moreover, Al Hilal are also in the race and currently have two points more than Al Nassr. However, to some consolation to Ronaldo's fans, the 5-time Balon d'Or winner is leading the goalscoring chart. Taking into account all the competitions at the club level, he has scored 33 goals till now for Al Nassr this season.