Cristiano Ronaldo walked off the pitch visibly frustrated after another painful final defeat with Al-Nassr, and fans online wasted no time unleashing their anger. The Saudi giants fell 1-0 to Gamba Osaka in the AFC Champions League 2 final, extending Ronaldo’s frustrating wait for a major domestic trophy since arriving in Saudi Arabia.
The defeat instantly exploded across social media. Supporters blamed Al-Nassr’s repeated collapses in big matches, while others argued Ronaldo is carrying a team that continues to fail when the pressure rises. The result has now intensified scrutiny surrounding the club’s mentality ahead of a crucial Saudi Pro League title showdown next week.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Al-Nassr slammed after AFC Champions League final collapse
Gamba Osaka delivered the decisive moment midway through the first half when Deniz Hummet found the net in the 30th minute. Despite dominating possession later in the game, Al-Nassr struggled to create clear chances, and Ronaldo endured another difficult night in front of goal.
The Portuguese star played the full 90 minutes but finished with five shots, zero on target, and two missed big chances. For a player who has built his legacy on decisive moments, the numbers only added to the frustration surrounding the defeat.
Fans online reacted brutally after the final whistle.
“This team is the Arsenal of Saudi Arabia,” one supporter posted on X, comparing Al-Nassr’s repeated failures in title races and finals to Arsenal’s long-running criticism for falling short in decisive moments.
Another frustrated fan wrote, “Ronaldo doesn't deserve this, shameless team.”
Others accused the club of constantly collapsing under pressure.
“This team fumbles when the world is watching,” another reaction read.
“The players are all useless,” one supporter added.
Cristiano Ronaldo still chasing Saudi Pro League glory with Al-Nassr
Since joining Al-Nassr in 2023, Ronaldo has maintained extraordinary individual numbers despite the club’s struggles to secure major silverware. The 41-year-old has already won consecutive Saudi Pro League Golden Boots and has scored 28 goals in 36 matches this season, even after missing a month with a hamstring injury.
Still, the absence of major trophies continues to dominate conversations around his Saudi Arabia chapter.
Al-Nassr now face one final opportunity to rescue their season when they meet Damac Club in the closing round of the Saudi Pro League campaign. The equation is brutally simple. Win, and Ronaldo could finally secure a domestic title with the club. Anything less would leave their fate dependent on rivals Al-Hilal.
The pressure could hardly be bigger.
For Ronaldo, another failed title challenge would deepen questions about whether this Al-Nassr project can truly match the ambitions that surrounded his blockbuster arrival. For fans, patience already appears to be running dangerously thin.