Disaster for Cristiano Ronaldo as Al Nassr crash out of Saudi Super Cup semi-final

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Cristiano Ronaldo‘s start to life at Al Nassr is not going quite as planned for the Portuguese forward.

Ronaldo blew up his Manchester United career in November, manufacturing an exit after hitting out at the club in a TV interview.

No doubt expecting an elite European club to come calling for his services, a poor World Cup led to low interest, and he had to settle for a move to Saudi Arabian side Al Nassr.

After making his debut a week ago in an exhibition against PSG for the Riyadh All Stars, Ronaldo’s start at Al Nassr has begun with a bit of a bump.

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Al Nassr crash out

Al Nassr sit top of the Saudi Pro League after 14 games. Ronaldo made his debut last week, beating Ettifaq 1-0, with Anderson Talisca scoring the goal.

Yesterday he was back in the starting line-up as Al Nassr face Al Ittihad in the Saudi Super Cup semi-final.

It was all set up for Ronaldo to reach the final and be just one game away from winning a trophy, within weeks of joining the club.

But in the same week Manchester United won their Carabao Cup semi-final first leg convincingly, Ronaldo crashed out of his cup competition.

Al Nassr were beaten 3-1 by Al Ittihad, who are third in the table, with Ronaldo once again failing to get on the scoresheet.

Ronaldo would have hoped he could rock up in the Saudi league and dominate. However, two games in, it looks anything but.

He had only two shots at goal, one of which missed the target, while he completed only 22 passes, including none of four crossing attempts.

Ronaldo may improve, he has to. Just a year ago he was scoring goals frequently in the Premier League. But over the past few months, his age has really showed.

He was poor for Manchester United in the first part of the season, and the Red Devils certainly don’t miss him, having been on a winning streak recently under Erik ten Hag.

Ronaldo’s disappointing start in Saudi Arabia is showing him up at present. No European team will be watching, and wishing they paid his high salary demands.