Cristiano Ronaldo has been accused of “bad sportsmanship” after snubbing the trophy celebrations of Gamba Osaka following his side’s defeat in the AFC Champions League Two final.
The footballing icon featured in Al Nassr’s 1-0 defeat after coming into the game as favourites to win Asian football’s second-tier club competition, equivalent to Europe’s Europa League.
As his teammates collected their silver medals, Ronaldo was nowhere to be seen, as fans slammed the Portuguese for being “disrespectful”.
One supporter on social media said: “Shockingly bad sportsmanship,” while another wrote: “Ronaldo not being there is very disrespectful”.
Deniz Hummet scored for Gamba Osaka against the run of play after half an hour, as the Japanese side saw out the incredible victory.
The latest setback for Ronaldo comes just four days after a last-gasp own goal by goalkeeper Bento kept the footballing icon from his piece of major silverware since joining Al-Nassr in January 2023.
The own-goal allowed Saudi Pro League title rivals Al-Hilal to claim a 1-1 draw and keep within two points of leaders Al-Nassr with one game left
If Al Nassr win on Thursday, they will become Saudi champions for the 11th time.
Cristiano Ronaldo snubbed Gamba Osaka’s trophy celebrations after his side lost 1-0
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Al Nassr’s coach Jorge Jesus said: “We didn’t get what we wanted here, but there is one more final for us, the Saudi Pro League title, which is very important to us.
“We have five days to recover and prepare, and there is no time for grieving. We have to get going again.”
Al Nassr play Damac in their final game of the season, with the visitors needing three points to secure safety in the Saudi Pro League.
Next season, Cristiano Ronaldo’s son is being considered for Al Nassr’s first team
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For next season, Cristiano Ronaldo’s son is being considered to join his dad’s first-team squad.
In a potential father-and-son link-up, 15-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo Jr has been making steady progress through Al-Nassr’s academy system.
The youngster, who turns 16 in two months’ time, is being closely monitored by the Saudi Arabian side, who are weighing up his best pathways.
Ronaldo Jr, who recently trained with Real Madrid’s Under-16s, could be included in the first-team squad, according to Saudi Arabian media.
Cristiano Ronaldo Jr recently trained with Real Madrid’s Under-16s
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The youngster’s training session raised the prospect of a future move to the Bernabéu, to potentially follow in the footsteps of his father.
Such a transfer would reunite the famous surname with the club where his father established himself as one of football’s all-time greats during a glittering nine-year spell.
Ronaldo Sr remains the most prolific scorer in Real Madrid’s history, having netted an extraordinary 450 times across 438 appearances for the club.
The younger Ronaldo is capable of operating on either wing or centrally and has already spent time at two other clubs previously graced by his father’s presence – Manchester United and Juventus.
Should a move to Madrid materialise, it would mark the fourth of his father’s former employers where Ronaldo Jr has been registered.
