Cristiano Ronaldo was completely devastated after a bizarre own goal in the 98th minute delayed the celebration of his Al-Nassr’s title.
It all happened on Tuesday night, a dramatic denouement which ended Ronaldo’s wait for the first major trophy in Saudi Arabia, his fiancee Georgina Rodriguez and family watched from the stands. They came to the stadium to celebrate the title, and in the end they did the others were shocked.
Shock in referee compensation
It seemed they would Al-Nassr secure the league title after Mohamed Simakan’s first-half goal gave them a 1-0 lead against direct title rivals Al-Hilal. Marcelo Brozovic he threw in from the corner, and Simakan reacted best in the crowd and scored.
That goal seemed to be the winner and the championship because Jorge Jesus’ team would escape to an eight-point advantage, while Al-Hilal has only two games left until the end of the season. Ronaldo was substituted seven minutes before the end of regular time with cheers from the stands Al-Awwal Park stadium.
But disaster struck in the eighth minute of stoppage time. After a long throw-in from the side into the penalty area, Al-Nassr’s goalkeeper he ran out to clear the ball but collided with teammate Inigo Martinez and clumsily tipped the ball over his own head into the net.
QU’EST-CE QUE JE VIENS DE VOIR ? 💀
Al Nassr et Cristiano Ronaldo étaiten à 10 secondes de remporter la SPL… FLOP 😨
90+8′ | Al Nasr 1 – 1 Al Hilal https://t.co/MA5Ltyl5Jf pic.twitter.com/wlp1BSWCKE
— SPL 🇸🇦 (@ActuSPL) May 12, 2026
Despite Abdulelah Al-Amri’s desperate attempt to save the goal, the ball crossed the line and an own goal kept the title race going open.
Devastated Ronaldo on the bench
After the match, the cameras focused on Cristiano Ronaldo who was sitting alone on the bench. The 41-year-old, watched from the stands by Georgina and the children, looked devastated and on the verge of tears.
He sat motionless until one of the club’s officials approached him and patted him on the shoulder in support. Ronaldo eventually stood up, shrugged his shoulders, shook his head and walked towards the tunnel with his head down.
Ronaldo was seconds away from winning his first Saudi Pro League Title 👀
Al-Nassr still have a chance to win it next week pic.twitter.com/uc2yM0dS4n
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) May 12, 2026
The title race continues
Despite the dramatic draw, Al-Nassr is still express favorite to win the title. Ronaldo’s side are five points ahead of Al-Hilal, although their rivals have two games to go and Al-Nassr just one.
If Al-Nassr, who also have a better goal difference of five goals, beat 15th-placed Damac at home next Wednesday, they will championship title for the first time after 2019.
Ronaldo’s wait in Saudi Arabia
Since joining the club in November 2022, Ronaldo has achieved an impressive 127 goals in 146 gamesa, but the only trophy he won in the Middle East is Arab Champions Cup 2023. In Ronaldo’s previous three seasons, Al-Nassr finished second, second and third in the championship, he writes Index.hr.
Although the Portuguese plays one more great season with 26 goals scored, he is unlikely to win the Golden Boot as Al-Ahli’s Ivan Toney (31) and Al-Qadsiah’s Julian Quinones (29) are ahead of him. Among Ronaldo’s famous teammates in Al-Nassr are Marcelo Brozović, Sadio Mane, Kingsley Coman, Joao Felix and Inigo Martinez.
(www.jabuka.tv | Photo: X)
