FILE PHOTO: Al Ittihad v Al Nassr – King Fahd International Stadium, Riyadh, Saudia Arabia – January 26, 2023 Al Nassr’s Cristiano Ronaldo in action REUTERS/Ahmed Yosri
Cristiano Ronaldo was upstaged by another former Manchester United forward in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday as Al-Hilal’s Odion Ighalo scored twice from the penalty spot in a 2-0 win over Al-Nassr.
Portugal striker Ronaldo moved to Al-Nassr on a lucrative deal last January and scored eight goals in his first five games but he has been unable to sustain that pace.
In Al-Nassr’s first game since the departure of coach Rudi Garcia, Ronaldo drew a blank while Ighalo, who had a loan spell at Manchester United in 2020, scored twice to hand Asian champions Al-Hilal the win.
Ronaldo was yellow carded in the 57th minute after he tangled with Gustavo Cuellar and things only got worse from there.
FILE PHOTO: Al Hilal Press Conference – Ibn Batouta Stadium, Tangier, Morocco – February 6, 2023 Al Hilal’s Odion Ighalo during press conference REUTERS/Andrew Boyers
The 38-year-old had a goal disallowed for offside in the 77th minute and after he was awarded a penalty six minutes later the Video Assistant Referee reversed the decision.
Ronaldo was later taunted as he left the field with Al-Hilal fans waving Lionel Messi shirts.
Al-Nassr interim coach Dinko Jelicic told reporters the game changed when they conceded the first spot kick.
“The first penalty kick broke us, it was influential in the course of the match,” he said.
“Al-Hilal were better than us in some periods. My team showed good glimpses and could pave the way for the next weeks.”
Al-Nassr is three points behind leaders Al-Ittihad, who have played a game less.