Cristiano Ronaldo was seen crying uncontrollably after Al-Nassr lost the King Cup of Champions final to Al-Hilal.
Cristiano Ronaldo has requested a favour from Manchester United in the wake of Al-Nassr’s penalty-filled loss to Al-Hilal in the King Cup of Champions final. The 39-year-old striker, who had finished his second season in Saudi Arabia without winning any awards, was devastated and started crying.
In the first few minutes, Aleksandar Mitrovic gave Al-Hilal the lead. Shortly before the end of regulation, Ayman Yahya equalised the score. A nervous extra-time period resulted in a shoot-out to break the stalemate.
Ronaldo gave it his all, expertly converting Al-second Nassr’s penalty kick, but his team lost 5–4. When the final whistle blew, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner collapsed into the grass and started crying uncontrollably.
His teammates had to assist him off the pitch because he was so distraught. Ronaldo was seen in the dugout sobbing uncontrollably as he awaited his runners-up medal.
Al-Hilal not only defeated Al-Nassr by a significant margin to win the Saudi Pro League, but they also accomplished the domestic double against their opponents in the King Cup of Champions final. Ronaldo appears prepared to raid Manchester United and Real Madrid for reinforcements, eager to finally hold some hardware in the Middle East.
Marca, a Spanish tabloid, claims that the Portugal international has contacted Casemiro about a possible transfer. According to the source, Ronaldo called Nacho Fernandez in the last few days.
Casemiro, whose contract at Old Trafford expires in June 2026, made 32 appearances for Manchester United this season in all competitions, aiding in Erik ten Hag’s team’s FA Cup victory. Even though the 32-year-old midfielder won some awards, he had trouble making an impression and frequently appeared out of place.
In fact, Jamie Carragher encouraged Casemiro to “call it a day” and sign with the Saudi Pro League or the Major League Soccer after the Red Devils’ 4-0 loss to Crystal Palace in May. The former Liverpool defender remarked, “I said at half-time he’s got to bring Casemiro off,” in an interview with Sky Sports.
“I understand that he has young players on the bench, but I really believe that Casemiro, as an accomplished player, should realise today that he should only have three more games remaining at the highest level. The final of the [FA] Cup and the next two league games.
“I need to go to the MLS or Saudi,” he ought to be thinking. I mean business. He needs to hear from everyone around him that this must end because he is getting older. One of the greatest players of our day is on display here, dominating one of the best midfields in Europe.
He was one of the greatest midfielders, holding [Luka] Modric and [Toni] Kroos to opposite sides. Xavi, Andrés Iniesta, and Sergio Busquets of Barcelona made composed the beloved midfield that could easily match up against us. He has been fantastic.
“I cannot even come close to achieving what that man has accomplished. Real Madrid, the Champions League, and playing for Brazil. But as a football player, I always remembered this saying: “leave the football before the football leaves you.” I always thought of that when I retired.
“The football has left him at this top level he needs to call it a day at this level of football and move.”