Cristiano Ronaldo’s tough start to life in Saudi with Al Nassr continued, as his team got knocked out by Al Ittihad from the Saudi Super Cup semifinals. Al Nassr went down 3-1 to Al Ittihad, as Ronaldo was unable to inspire them to neither by scoring or providing the usual spark. The Al Ittihad, managed by former Tottenham boss Nuno Espirito Santo found it too easy to keep the new arrival in Saudi quiet.
And they did succeed in doing so, as Cristiano Ronaldo, who once again captained his new side was limited to a mere 1 shot on target throughout the 90 minutes. He otherwise had nothing much to offer, as Espirito Santo’s tactical masterclass against fellow Portuguese international worked brilliantly. On the other hand, the Twitter had a explosion watching Ronaldo misfire in Saudi.

Trolls have a field day as Cristiano Ronaldo produces disaster-class in Al Ittihad defeat
Cristiano Ronaldo was once again on the receiving end of the Twitter trolls, who had laughs over his misfiring display. Apart from his only shot on target, the 37-year-old forward had 4 ground duels won, one aerial duel won, one tackle, one successful dribble and zero chances created to show for the 90 minutes. Not the performance you would expect from the highest-paid footballer of all-time, on a pay-roll of €3.7m per-week.
Romarinho opened the scoring for Al Ittihad in the 15th minute as the Brazilian easily tapped the ball home from close range from a brilliant Abdulrahman Al-Aboud assist. Ronaldo nearly equalized in the 43rd minute only for Al Ittihad shot-stopper Marcelo Grohe to produce a stunning save and launch an offensive on the opposite goal. Hamdallah finished off the move as the home side further piled up misery on Rudi Garcia’s Al Nassr.
Anderson Talisca, who scored a wonderful goal from of the box against PSG in the friendly pulled one back for Al Nassr to give a tense finish to the game. However, Al Ittihad’s third goal, which came from Muhannad Al-Shanqeeti’s effort in the stoppage time gave Santos’ team the victory, and sent Ronaldo and co packing home. It seems the Manchester United fans enjoyed it, as they felt it was justice to the five-time Ballon d’Or winner who left the club in November last year in the most distasteful manner. Here are some of the best reactions from the fans:
Ronaldo dropping stinkers in the Saudi league but I’m supposed to believe United are mugs for letting him go ?
— Darrell (@bickley_darrell) January 26, 2023
Imagine say Al Nassr sign Messi and terminate Ronaldo’s contract..?
— DEšT?? (@gyimie_nkoaaa) January 26, 2023
Ronaldo is just ass at football at this point, can’t even score in the Saudi league
— Josh (@joshualrm) January 26, 2023
There’s no way people actually thought Ten Hag was the reason Ronaldo wasn’t playing well ?
— ?? (@AM9PP6) January 26, 2023
Ronaldo just Retire ffs ??
— luvin (@ronaldoprime7) January 26, 2023
First, Ronaldo destroyed Juventus, then Man United, then Portugal NT and now it's Al-Nassr's turn for 200M a year. Life is good. very good. Unreal influence.??? pic.twitter.com/Jk6AZVUArI
— Ismailrop (@ropkvic) January 26, 2023
Ronaldo is washed. He should be showing minimum 2 goals per game.
— kiran♟ (@KiranUnited) January 26, 2023
If people really think Ronaldo > Messi even now then they are either stupid or too arrogant.
— isma adino (@AdinoIsmath) January 26, 2023
Al nassr paying Ronaldo 200m in wags just to lose to Al titties in the super cup final ??
— ⚽️?? (@agmxcl) January 26, 2023
No way Al Nassr are heading out of a cup if they lose this…
THE RONALDO EFFECT?????????????????
— Context Ronaldo (@ContextRonaldo) January 26, 2023
Ronaldo out of Saudi Arabia super cup ??
— BIG POJE (@_iampoje) January 26, 2023
Cristiano Ronaldo since joining desert league in saudi arabia
2 games 0 goals
Knocked out of super cup semi finals.Holding on consistency
— Pierre (@Kaluluu) January 27, 2023
Al-Ittihad has eliminated Al Nassr from the 2022 Saudi Super Cup after a 3-1 win. Al Nassr were the winners the last time WITHOUT Ronaldo. ? pic.twitter.com/b8OIzR1V1j
— BeksFCB (@Joshua_Ubeku) January 26, 2023
If people really think Ronaldo > Messi even now then they are either stupid or too arrogant.
— isma adino (@AdinoIsmath) January 26, 2023
Ronaldo is struggling in the Saudi league.
— Farooq (@Bo552023) January 26, 2023