Cristiano Ronaldo denied Saudi Pro League title after bizarre goalkeeper own goal – The Athletic
Cristiano Ronaldo didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
His Al Nassr team were 12 seconds away from winning the Saudi Pro League title, leading 1-0 against their closest rivals Al Hilal in Riyadh, when the unthinkable happened.
Al Hilal, requiring a point to keep their hopes alive, delivered a long throw towards the Al Nassr penalty area. It overshot the group of Al Hilal attackers and the ball looked to be sailing calmly towards goalkeeper Bento.
But a mix up in communication proved fatal. As Bento, a Brazil international, jumped to claim the delivery, his defender Inigo Martinez backtracked and tried to head the ball clear.
Bento’s attempts to catch the ball were impeded and sent the ball flying into his own net with Abdulelah Al-Amri unable to clear it off the line.
The camera inevitably cut to Ronaldo, who had been substituted in the 83rd minute. He first sat still in numb disbelief before breaking into the most rueful of smiles.
Having not won the SPL since joining in January 2023, this was supposed to be the night the 41-year-old Portuguese forward ended the torment. Instead, there was just frustration.
He had recovered sufficiently to post a rallying call on X after the final whistle. “The dream is close,” he wrote. “Heads up, we have one more step to take! Thank you all for the amazing support tonight!”
Ronaldo sits crestfallen in the dug-out (all grabs Sky Sports)
Al Nassr are still favourites to get over the line. They lead by five points with one game to play but Al Hilal have two games remaining.
If Al Hilal win both, Ronaldo and Al Nassr will need to win on the final day against Damac to clinch the trophy. If they end level on points with Al Hilal, Al Nassr would finish second due to their inferior head-to-head record.
Damac will need no extra motivation, though, as they are fighting for survival and tied on the same points as Al Riyadh, who occupy the third relegation spot.
Before then, Ronaldo also has an Asian Champions League Two final — the second tier competition in the continent — against Gamba Osaka to negotiate this coming weekend.
Ronaldo could claim his first two major honours in Saudi in as many weeks before he heads to this summer’s World Cup, assuming he is selected by head coach Roberto Martinez on May 19.
