Cristiano Ronaldo cut a distraught figure as his hopes of finally lifting the Saudi Pro League title at the fourth attempt faced a dramatic setback on Tuesday night.
Ronaldo, 41, has scored 127 goals in 146 games for Al-Nassr since joining the club after leaving Man United in November 2022.
However, despite a hugely decorated career, the only trophy Ronaldo has won in the Middle East is the Arab Club Champions Cup in 2023.
He looked set to finally end that drought as the Portuguese superstar, who earns £488,000-per-day in Saudi Arabia, helped his side to a 1-0 lead over rivals Al-Hilal.
Mohamed Simakan’s first-half strike looked set to take Jorge Jesus’ side eight points clear of Al-Hilal, with their rivals having just two league games of the season left.
Ronaldo was then substituted off with seven minutes to go to a rapturous reception at Al-Awwal Park, but disaster struck in the eighth minute of added time
Cristiano Ronaldo was distraught after Al-Nassr conceded a 98th-minute equaliser on Tuesday
As Al-Hilal launched a final desperate long throw into the box, Al-Nassr keeper Bento came rushing out to punch the ball away.
But as he did so, the Brazilian keeper, who was a target for West Ham in January, crashed into his team-mate Inigo Martinez and instead punched the ball over his own head.
Despite Abdulelah Al-Amri’s desperate attempts to clear the ball, it had already gone over the line, with Bento’s own goal ultimately keeping the title race alive.
And, following the game, Ronaldo was captured by cameras sitting alone in Al-Nassr’s dugout.
The 41-year-old had been watched on by Georgina Rodriguez and his children in the stands, yet he looked distraught and near to tears as he sat motionless, before an Al-Nassr official came over to give him a supportive tap on the shoulder.
Ronaldo eventually got up and shrugged his shoulders and shook his head before he walked off down the tunnel with his head pointing towards the floor.
Al-Nassr haven’t won their domestic league since 2019 and they have come second, second and third in Ronaldo’s three previous campaigns at the club.
Ronaldo had been subbed off to a rapturous reception as he closed in on his first Saudi title
The Portuguese superstar was watched on by his partner Georgina Rodriguez and his children
They remain strong favourites for the title, though, with Ronaldo and Co still five points clear of Al-Hilal, although their rivals have two games remaining as opposed to their one.
But if Al-Nassr, who have a better goal difference by five, win their final match at home to 15th-placed Damac next Wednesday, they will lift the title for the first time in seven years.
Ronaldo has enjoyed another superb season, although he is unlikely to take home the Golden Boot, with Al-Ahli’s Ivan Toney (31 goals) and Al-Qadsiah star Julian Quinones (29 goals) having scored more than his 26 strikes.
The likes of Kingsley Coman, Joao Felix, Sadio Mane, Marcelo Brozovic and Inigo Martinez are some of Ronaldo’s famous team-mates at Al-Nassr.
