Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr frustration grew again last Saturday, as the Saudi side lost 1-0 to Gamba Osaka in the AFC Champions League Two final.
It was the fourth final defeat of Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr career, and the disappointment appeared to hit him hard after another chance at silverware disappeared.
With the World Cup approaching, the reaction matters. The Portuguese superstar could arrive at the tournament under scrutiny, not just for results, but for how he handles setbacks.
Fans criticise Cristiano Ronaldo after medal ceremony absence
Ronaldo did not return to the pitch to collect his silver medal, and fans on X quickly criticised the Al-Nassr captain’s absence from the ceremony.
One post read: “Joao Felix and Jorge Jesus actually showing some leadership while the 200M captain hides in the dressing room. Pure ego, zero class!”
“I wonder how people are still defending this. If they had won, would he allow anyone other than himself to lead the team to receive the trophy?” another added.
A third wrote: “What a terrible leader! So it’s only him that’s pained about the loss?” while another called it “unsportsmanlike”.
Some supporters defended Ronaldo, arguing that his pain was understandable because he has built his career around demanding trophies and refusing to accept failure.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s final performance adds to criticism
The reaction was sharper because Ronaldo also endured a poor final against Gamba Osaka, with his own attacking numbers reflecting a frustrating night.
According to SofaScore, he had five shots, but three were blocked. He also missed two big chances as Al-Nassr failed to turn pressure into an equaliser.
His passing accuracy stood at 16 from 21 attempts, while he lost possession ten times. For a player expected to decide finals, those numbers invited criticism.
That is the danger before the World Cup. Ronaldo remains a global figure, but another final defeat has made every gesture and every missed chance feel bigger, making the pressure grow.
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