Cristiano Ronaldo’s Apology and Stellar Performance: A Night to Remember for Al Nassr
Feb 25, 2025, 05:34 PM ET
In a dramatic turn of events, Cristiano Ronaldo found himself in an unusual position of apologizing to fans after Al Nassr‘s match against Al Wehda was delayed due to traffic congestion. Despite the hiccup, Ronaldo’s performance on the field was nothing short of spectacular, as he scored and won a penalty, leading his team to a 2-0 victory in the Saudi Pro League on Tuesday.
The delay was caused when the team bus arrived nine minutes after the scheduled kick-off, resulting in a one-hour delay. Ronaldo, ever the team player, allowed his teammate Sadio Mané to take the penalty, showcasing his leadership and sportsmanship.
Currently, Stefano Pioli’s side sits third in the league with 47 points. They trail the leaders, Al Ittihad, who have a game in hand, by eight points and are four points behind second-placed Al Hilal.
Reflecting on the match, Ronaldo shared his thoughts with SSC sports, saying, “It was a tough game. The first half was difficult because we did a journey three hours in the bus because of traffic and the roads were closed.” He continued, “I want to apologise on behalf of Al Nassr for starting the game late. This is should not happen again. Sorry,” the 40-year-old Portugal international added.
Despite the rocky start, Ronaldo was pleased with the team’s performance in the second half. “We started not very good, but in second half we were a little bet better. We fixed our issues and we scored two goals so we are happy,” he remarked.
Ronaldo also took a moment to praise his teammates for their resilience, especially after their recent loss to Al Ettifaq. “[The comeback] should be like that. This is Al Nassr we have to react … We have to continue to win and let’s see what’s going to happen,” he stated.
Looking ahead, Ronaldo emphasized the importance of maintaining focus as the team competes in both the SPL and the AFC Champions League Elite. They are set to face Esteghlal Tehran in the last 16 on Monday. “Game-by-game, we have to build again the confidence … We have to do it again we have to win, win, win and let’s see what’s going to happen,” Ronaldo said.
Ronaldo’s prowess on the field is undeniable, as he currently leads the SPL’s scoring list with 17 goals this season, just one ahead of Al Ittihad’s Karim Benzema.
- Al Nassr’s current standing: Third with 47 points
- Trailing Al Ittihad by eight points
- Trailing Al Hilal by four points
- Ronaldo leads SPL scoring with 17 goals
- Upcoming match: Esteghlal Tehran in AFC Champions League Elite
As the season progresses, all eyes will be on Ronaldo and Al Nassr to see if they can maintain their momentum and climb the ranks in the Saudi Pro League. With Ronaldo’s leadership and the team’s determination, fans are hopeful for a thrilling finish to the season.
Originally Written by: Reuters
