Cristiano Ronaldo stood alone in the center circle. Eyes on the ground. The crowd in shock. A golden chance slipped away — and with it, Al-Nassr’s dream of a historic triumph in Asia’s biggest club tournament.
The Portuguese superstar missed a clear opportunity in the dying moments as Al-Nassr chased an equalizer against Japan’s Kawasaki Frontale in the AFC Champions League semifinal.
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Ronaldo Takes Responsibility and Sends a Message
The match ended 3-2 in favor of the Japanese side. Al-Nassr fought back after trailing 3-1, but couldn’t complete the comeback.
It was another painful chapter in Ronaldo’s Saudi adventure, where major trophies still remain elusive.
After the match, Ronaldo shared his feelings on social media with a short but telling message:
“Sometimes the dream has to wait. I’m proud of the team and everything we gave on the pitch,” according to The Mirror.
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He also thanked the fans and emphasized how much their support means.
Ronaldo, who has previously won both the Champions League and the European Championship, has yet to lift a major international trophy with Al-Nassr, despite the club’s big ambitions and heavy investment.
The disappointment was evident — especially for head coach Stefano Pioli, who criticized the team’s performance after the match:
“We were poor in the duels, and our level simply wasn’t good enough,” admitted the Italian coach. “We took risks in the second half but couldn’t execute better.”
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With the defeat, Ronaldo’s trophy drought in Saudi Arabia continues. Al-Nassr also sits third in the league, eight points behind the leaders with five games to go.
One thing is clear: Ronaldo is not done dreaming — but for now, the wait for glory continues.
Source: Mirror
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