When Netflix chose to highlight the Saudi Pro League with a six-part documentary, many were hopeful it would capture the intense drama of Drive to Survive. However, Alexi Lalas, a former USMNT defender and current analyst, expressed disappointment, calling the series “boring” and “propaganda.”

On his State of the Union podcast, Lalas shared that he couldn’t get through more than two episodes, even with encouragement from co-host David Mosse, who praised the documentary’s high production quality. While Mosse appreciated the effort to showcase the league’s rich history, passionate fans, and genuine football culture, Lalas remained unconvinced.

He compared it to popular shows like Drive to Survive and Hard Knocks, which are known for their blend of raw emotion, drama, and engaging storylines. For Lalas, however, the Saudi League’s portrayal felt soulless. “There was no real drama, no villains, no heroes,” he lamented.

While the Netflix series had difficulty portraying the league’s drama, the on-field action provided its own surprises, as Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr faced a setback in a critical match against Al Qadsiah.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr stunned by Al Qadsiah in the title race

Cristiano Ronaldo’s quest for his first trophy in Saudi Arabia was dealt a setback as Al Nassr lost 2-1 at home to Al Qadsiah on Friday. Despite a strong start from Ronaldo, Al Nassr was not able to maintain the lead. They missed a lot of scoring chances and also had defensive errors. 

The evening was off to a flyi͏ng star͏t for the ͏38͏-year-ol͏d superstar, ͏who ͏took full advantage of a goalkeeping b͏lunder in the 32nd ͏minute to put Al͏ N͏assr a͏h͏ead ͏wi͏th a finish. However, that was short-lived. Just five minutes later, Julián Quiñones leveled the scores for Al Qadsiah with remarkable control and composure to turn in a cross from the left side.

As the second half progressed, Al Nassr maintained possession but struggled to create clear chances. In contrast, Al Qadsiah took full advantage of their opportunities with clinical precision. Quiñones turned into a playmaker with a stunning assist, acrobatically setting up former Arsenal and Dortmund star Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who scored the winner unmarked at the far post.

Ronaldo and his teammates pressed hard for an equalizer, but Al Qadsiah’s goalkeeper, Koen Casteels, was resolute, thwarting their efforts repeatedly. The defeat leaves Al Nassr in third place in the Saudi Pro League, six points behind leaders Al Hilal, who also have a game in hand.

Meanwhile, Al Qadsiah moved up to fifth, tied on points with Al Nassr and Al Shabab, reigniting their own ambitions in the fiercely competitive league.

For Al Nassr, this loss serves as a stark reminder that having star players alone won’t ensure victory. As the title race intensifies, Ronaldo and his team will need more than just talent—they’ll need determination.