Sharp Attack on Cristiano Ronaldo After Al-Nassr's Loss to Al-Ittihad: "His Role is Negative in Crucial Matches"
October 29, 2025614 ViewsRead Time: 2 minutes
Font Size
16
The Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo, captain of Saudi club Al-Nassr, faced harsh criticism following his team's loss to Al-Ittihad by two goals to one in the match that brought the two teams together on Tuesday evening as part of the King Abdulaziz Cup for the 2025-2026 season.
Sports journalist Ahmed Al-Harbi sharply criticized Ronaldo's performance, considering that his impact in crucial matches is "negative and limited," despite his long experience and a career filled with championships.
Al-Harbi said in television statements: "Al-Ittihad was not at its best, yet it won against Al-Nassr. This shows that the champion's personality is still absent from the team, and Jorge Jesus is trying to build this personality again. Karim Benzema's impact was clear and significant, unlike Ronaldo, who usually disappears in knockout matches, as happened against Al-Ain and Al-Wahda previously."
Al-Harbi added that Al-Nassr needs a "prolific striker capable of decisive actions," pointing out that "the impact of the big star should dominate the team's performance, and therefore the management of Al-Nassr should consider offensive alternatives in the upcoming period."
These statements came after an exciting match that saw Al-Ittihad lead by two goals in the first half through Karim Benzema and Hossam Aouar, before Al-Nassr temporarily equalized through Angelo Gabriel in the 30th minute, allowing Al-Ittihad to secure a place in the quarter-finals.
The recent loss deepens Al-Nassr's crises, which has not won any official championship since Ronaldo joined its ranks at the beginning of 2023, despite significant signings and massive spending on international stars. Statistics indicate that the team has lost 13 official championships over three seasons, including the Saudi League, King's Cup, Super Cup, and the AFC Champions League in multiple editions.
While Benzema continues to enhance his presence and impact with Al-Ittihad, analysts believe that Ronaldo is facing a real test to regain his brilliance in the upcoming phase, amid increasing public and media pressure.
Sports journalist Ahmed Al-Harbi sharply criticized Ronaldo's performance, considering that his impact in crucial matches is "negative and limited," despite his long experience and a career filled with championships.
Al-Harbi said in television statements: "Al-Ittihad was not at its best, yet it won against Al-Nassr. This shows that the champion's personality is still absent from the team, and Jorge Jesus is trying to build this personality again. Karim Benzema's impact was clear and significant, unlike Ronaldo, who usually disappears in knockout matches, as happened against Al-Ain and Al-Wahda previously."
Al-Harbi added that Al-Nassr needs a "prolific striker capable of decisive actions," pointing out that "the impact of the big star should dominate the team's performance, and therefore the management of Al-Nassr should consider offensive alternatives in the upcoming period."
These statements came after an exciting match that saw Al-Ittihad lead by two goals in the first half through Karim Benzema and Hossam Aouar, before Al-Nassr temporarily equalized through Angelo Gabriel in the 30th minute, allowing Al-Ittihad to secure a place in the quarter-finals.
The recent loss deepens Al-Nassr's crises, which has not won any official championship since Ronaldo joined its ranks at the beginning of 2023, despite significant signings and massive spending on international stars. Statistics indicate that the team has lost 13 official championships over three seasons, including the Saudi League, King's Cup, Super Cup, and the AFC Champions League in multiple editions.
While Benzema continues to enhance his presence and impact with Al-Ittihad, analysts believe that Ronaldo is facing a real test to regain his brilliance in the upcoming phase, amid increasing public and media pressure.
