Cristiano Ronaldo faced disappointment as Al-Nassr lost 4-1 to Al-Hilal in the Saudi Super Cup in Abha, Saudi Arabia. The match was the season’s curtain-raiser between Saudi Pro League champion Al-Hilal and runner-up Al-Nassr, with Ronaldo scoring the opening goal just before halftime. Despite his efforts, Al-Hilal netted four goals in a span of 17 minutes in the second half, with former Newcastle and Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrović scoring twice.
Ronaldo, who joined Al-Nassr in December 2022 and set a league record last season with 35 goals, scored from close range in the 44th minute after an assist from Abdulrahman Ghareeb. However, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic equalized for Al-Hilal in the 55th minute with a goal from just inside the area. Mitrović then netted two more goals in six minutes, with Brazilian winger Malcom adding a fourth goal for Al-Hilal. The victory gave the league champion a second successive Super Cup win.
Despite the loss, Ronaldo remains confident in his team’s abilities. Al-Hilal’s Mitrović praised the team’s performance in the second half, stating, “We showed how good we are in the second half. We had some problems in the first half and then changed in the second. We stayed calm and it feels good to get a trophy at the start of the season.” Al-Hilal is still waiting for Neymar to return from a knee ligament injury that has kept him out since last October. The team will kick off its title defense against Al-Okhdood, while Al-Nassr will face Al-Raed in their upcoming matches.
Overall, Ronaldo’s quest for his first domestic trophy in Saudi Arabia continues as Al-Nassr faces a setback in the Saudi Super Cup. While the defeat was disappointing, Ronaldo’s goal-scoring abilities and leadership on the field remain evident. As the season progresses, both Al-Nassr and Al-Hilal will look to build on their performances and compete for the top honors in Saudi Arabian football. With key players like Mitrović and potential return of Neymar, the competition promises to be intense and exciting for football fans.
