In a dramatic Saudi Pro League clash on May 7, 2025, Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr squandered a two-goal lead to suffer a 3-2 defeat against league leaders Al-Ittihad at Al-Awwal Park in Riyadh.

⚽ First Half: Al-Nassr's Early Dominance

Al-Nassr started strongly, with Sadio Mané scoring in the 3rd minute, marking his ninth league goal of the season. Ayman Yahya extended the lead in the 37th minute, assisted by Mané, giving Al-Nassr a 2-0 advantage at halftime.

🔄 Second Half: Al-Ittihad's Remarkable Comeback

Al-Ittihad responded swiftly after the break. Karim Benzema narrowed the gap with a header in the 49th minute, followed by N'Golo Kanté's equalizer in the 52nd minute. The comeback was completed in stoppage time when Houssem Aouar capitalized on a cross from Moussa Diaby, securing a 3-2 victory.

😤 Ronaldo's Visible Frustration

Cristiano Ronaldo, despite a prolific season with 33 goals across all competitions, expressed visible frustration during the match. He made a "sleeping" gesture towards his teammates, signaling for them to "wake up," reflecting his disappointment with the team's performance. 

📉 Implications for Al-Nassr

This defeat dealt a significant blow to Al-Nassr's title aspirations, leaving them 11 points behind Al-Ittihad with four matches remaining. Additionally, their hopes of qualifying for the AFC Champions League are in jeopardy, as they currently sit fourth in the league standings.

🔮 Looking Ahead

With contract extension talks reportedly on hold and Al-Nassr's disappointing season, Ronaldo's future with the club remains uncertain. The team must regroup quickly to salvage their season and secure continental competition qualification.