Cristiano Ronaldo flees field after Saudi Super Cup loss vs. Al Hilal
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Cristiano Ronaldo appears to have been upset of his teammates' performance on the field, and ran off right after the end of the game, straight to the locker room.
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Saudi Arabia's Al Nassr Cristiano Ronaldo reacts in a match with Iran's Persepolis during their AFC Champions League soccer match at the Azadi Stadium in Tehran, Iran, Tuesday, September 19, 2023. (AP)
Portuguese striker and Al Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo ran off the field on Saturday, refusing to be awarded the silver medal, after losing to Al Hilal football club during the Saudi Super Cup.
The game, which took place in Abha, Saudi Arabia, started with a goal scored by Ronaldo at the end of the first half, but shifted tides as Al Hilal scored four rapid goals during the second half, concluding the game with a score of 4-1 for the latter.
Ronaldo appeared to have been visibly frustrated with his teammates' performance on the field, publicly criticizing them, and even gesturing that they were asleep during the game. Following the referee's full-time whistle, Ronaldo fled the pitch and went straight to the locker room, rather than waiting for the award ceremony.
Los gestos de enfado de Cristiano Ronaldo con sus compañeros de Al Nassr, tras ser goleados ante Al Hilal en la final de la Supercopa de Arabia Saudita. pic.twitter.com/uDUrPgIRDm
— ERNESTO Moreno Gamarra (@ERNESTOMorenoG8) August 18, 2024
Prior to the game, Ronaldo touched the trophy, breaking a known football ritual. It is traditionally believed that touching the award before the game brings in bad luck and paves the way for the opposing team's win.
Ronaldo signed a two-year contract with Al Nassr at the end of 2022, in a deal believed to be worth around $200 million. So far, Al Nassr has won only one friendly championship trophy with Cristiano on their squad.
