Al Nassr faced off against Al Shabab in their fourth game of the Saudi League, and their winning streak continued with a dominant 4-0 victory. Cristiano Ronaldo displayed an impressive performance, where he came close to securing his second hat trick in the league. However, the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) ultimately ruled his goal. Denying him his second hattrick. In a burst of frustration, Ronaldo vented his fury using just three words on the field.
In the last match against Al Fateh, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner scored a stunning hattrick. Again, in this match, The Portuguese forward showcased his brilliance, scoring twice and providing an assist.
A 3-word outburst from Cristiano Ronaldo
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In the match against Al Shabab, Ronaldo made his mark by expertly converting a penalty awarded to Al Nassr. His precise shot found the back of the net, giving his team the lead. Ronaldo’s momentum was halted in the 18th minute when his perfectly timed header, following a corner, was disallowed. The 38-year-old’s celebration turned into frustration as the referee reviewed the VAR footage. The decision was that Ronaldo had pushed his marker, gaining an unfair advantage during the buildup.
Ronaldo’s disappointment was visible after being denied his second hat trick. In a public display of frustration, he expressed his feelings succinctly with the words, “Always against me!” This candid expression captured the frustration he felt due to the decision.
🚨 Cristiano Ronaldo: “Always against me!”
pic.twitter.com/h3Gc7irSt2— TC (@totalcristiano) August 29, 2023
Upon closer examination, it became evident that Ronaldo had a point. During the play that led to his disallowed goal, two Al-Shabab defenders collided with each other, and the only contact with Ronaldo was a minor brush between them. Despite the minimal impact, the referee deemed it enough to disrupt the balance and disallowed the goal.
During the match, Ronaldo had another chance to secure his hat trick in the second half, and he chose to surprise many by passing the ball to his teammate Abdulrahman Ghareeb for a penalty kick. This unselfish act denied Ronaldo the chance for a potential hat trick, showcasing his team-first mentality.
A resilient comeback from Al Nassr
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Al Nassr kicked off the season with significant momentum, having triumphed in the Arab Club Champions Cup, during which Cristiano Ronaldo netted six goals in six games. However, the team faced setbacks in the Saudi Pro League, losing 2-1 against Al-Ettifaq in Ronaldo’s absence and 2-0 against Al-Taawoun after his return.
Despite these early challenges, Al Nassr made a remarkable comeback. They secured a spot in the AFC Champions League by defeating Shabab Al-Ahli in a playoff match, turning a 2-1 deficit into a resounding 4-2 victory. Riding this momentum, they secured victories against Al-Fateh (5-0) and Al-Shabab (4-0), with Ronaldo contributing five goals and Sadio Mane adding three.
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Currently holding the sixth position in the league table, the Knights of Najd have a promising season ahead. Their next challenge is an away match against Al-Hazem on September 2.
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