Watch: Criano Ronaldo looks bemused after being snubbed for player of the match award against Al Hilal | Football News
Criano Ronaldo on Monday won his first trophy as a Al Nassr player when he scored a brace to help his club to the Arab Club Champions Club title.
However, when it was time to announce the player of the match, the officials went with Al Hilal’s Sergej Milinkovic-Savic which left Ronaldo frustrated, a feeling which he could barely hide. The cameras zoomed in on the Al Nassr captain who had a bemused look on his face as he gestured 2 with his fingers which probably signified his two goals in the match.
In the match, Ronaldo had also suffered an injury and was stretchered off during the second half of extra time and had to be carried off on a golf cart.
Criano Ronaldo’s reaction to not getting player of the tournament… 😳 pic.twitter.com/Gm4GK9fVIe
— Saudi Xtra (@SaudiXtra) August 13, 2023
The Portuguese superstar had to be stretchered off the field due to a knee injury.
“Extremely proud to helped the team winning this important trophy for the 1st time,” he would later write on his social media accounts.
“Thank you to everyone in the club that was involved in this great achievement and to my family and friends for always being my side! Fantastic support our fans! This also belongs to you!”
The game had remained scoreless until six minutes into the second half when Al-Hilal’s Malcom crossed the ball and found fellow Brazilian Michael, who put his side ahead with a free header.
To rub salt into their wounds, the 27-year-old even produced the Ronaldo goal celebration as he ran to the corner flag and leapt into the air.
That seemed to fire up Ronaldo and the Portugal captain equalised in the 74th minute when he got on the end of a low cross from right back Sultan Al-Ghannam to score for a fifth game in a row.
Ronaldo then doubled the lead in the first half of extra time when he pounced on a rebound off the crossbar and headed home with the goalkeeper off his line.
