Even though he scored the only goal in Al-Nassr’s 4-1 loss to Al-Hilal in Saturday’s Saudi Super Cup, Cristiano Ronaldo’s season has gotten off to a less-than-ideal start with the club. Al-Nassr will compete in the Saudi Pro League this coming season.

Although the Portugal international got the ball rolling with a goal in the 44th minute, Al-Hilal scored four goals in the second half, with two of them coming from Serbian striker Aleksandar Mitrovic. In the 55th minute, fellow Serbian Sergej Milinkovic-Savic put Al-Hilal on the board with an equalizer, and in the 72nd minute, Malcom of Brazil put the game away.

Ronaldo made a number of disapproving motions toward his teammates during the game, including putting his hands on his head and acting as if he were going to fall asleep. Prior to the medal ceremony, he departed from the stadium.

 

Along with the other goal scorers from Saturday’s Super Cup and Neymar, who was acquired by Al-Hilal for one billion Saudi dirhams, the 39-year-old became the first high-profile signing to join Al-Nassr in December 2022. With a contract supposedly paying $75 million yearly until the summer of 2025, Ronaldo has surpassed all other athletes in terms of salary.

With 66 goals in 72 games for Al-Nassr and 35 goals in the 2023-24 Saudi Pro League season, Ronaldo has had a great offensive campaign in Saudi Arabia. From a team standpoint, it hasn’t been the most fruitful tenure; whilst Al-Nassr finished second in the league in the previous two seasons, the only trophy they’ve won since Ronaldo’s arrival is the Arab Club Champions Cup in 2023.

Thursday marks the start of the 2024–25 Saudi Pro League season for Al-Nassr as they welcome Al-Raed to their stadium.