Debate Over Kings Cup Legitimacy Sparks Controversy Ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr Match Against Al Khaleej

Cristiano Ronaldo and Al Nassr looked a bit sloppy when they faced Al Khaleej last week. Nevertheless, they managed to scrape by with a 1-0 win. Now, as the Knights of Najd face Khaleej tonight again in the King Cup of Champions semi-final, they cannot afford to repeat the same mistakes. A win is the only way to rekindle their hope to win at least one silverware this season. If Al Nassr beats Al Khaleej, they will face their undisputed rival, Al Hilal, after they vanquished Al Ittihad’s hopes of earning a final spot. Anyhow, whoever is the potential King Cup winner will not earn much adulation by a set of fans and media in Saudi Arabia.

The ongoing King Cup of Champions semi-finals became the talking point in a Saudi soccer TV show. Soccer journalist Ali-Al-Enezi and others discussed if the King Cup is a friendly tournament or a competitive fixture. Enezi dragged dirt on the ongoing tournament with an outspoken jibe. “The tournament is considered official or friendly depending on the color of the team that wins it,” said Ali-Al-Enezi. Be it a friendly or a competition, it is paramount for Cristiano Ronaldo and Co. to win the King’s Cup.

Al Nassr coach Luis Castro’s position has already reached an untenable position because of his failure to win a title with the team this season. Cristiano Ronaldo’s side snapped chances to win the Saudi Pro League, the Saudi Super Cup, and the AFC Champions League. The trophy drought means that the Riyadh-based outfit’s front office has reportedly set in motion the plan to sack the Portuguese coach this summer. A failure in the King’s Cup will only add fuel to this fire. Nevertheless, Al Nassr has a tall task at hand as their historical vanquishers await them in the King Cup finale.

Consistent losses against Al Hilal could haunt Cristiano Ronaldo and Co. in the final

Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr has thrice faced Al Hilal this season. Al Hilal mercilessly beat their domestic rivals in all three of these games. While playing these losing games, Al Nassr lost the Riyadh Season Cup title and the Saudi Super Cup title to their rivals. Should Castro’s side beat Khaleej and progress, they will once again clash with Al Hilal. Ronaldo’s team has to go into the clash with the burden of these abysmal past games in mind. The blue team had only lost once recently against Al Ain in the AFC Champions League. That aside, they are guns blazing in Saudi Arabia.

If the King’s Cup witnesses an Al Nassr-Al Hilal final, it will be an all-PIF-owned and all-Riyadh tie in the climax. Only time will tell if the Saudi journalist has hinted that the competition has a bias towards such heavyweight clubs. Who do you think will lift the King Cup trophy? Tell us in the comments.