Football is football all over the world and fan loyalty is something that doesn’t just suddenly change overnight – even if you happen to be Cristiano Ronaldo.
The Portuguese dynamo unfortunately failed in his maiden debut to help Al-Nassr to victory over Al-Ittihad in the semi-finals of the Saudi Super Cup on Thursday evening and was embarrassingly exposed to brutal taunts as loyal Messi fans chanted the Argentine hero’s name fanatically before Al-Nassr’s defeat at the hands of Al-Ittihad in the semi-finals of the Saudi Super Cup on Thursday.
37-year-old Ronaldo is yet to deliver his first goal for his new club after blushingly drawing a blank in his debut appearance for the Saudi outfit, who failed in their bid to reach the final despite boosted by Ronaldo’s most costly presence on the pitch.
Al-Ittihad went one up a goal after just 15 minutes through Romarinho before doubling their lead through Abderrazak Hamdallah shortly before the half-time whistle. Al-Nassr clawed their way back via Talisca as the clock ticked down but were forced to accept defeat in stoppage time when Muhannad Al-Shanqee scored the finisher late on to restore Al-Ittihad’s two-goal advantage.
Ronaldo presence was largely peripheral throughout the match as he was unable to exert any considerable influence on proceedings, with the five-time Ballon d’Or winner missing a golden chance to score from close range in the first half. Forced to contend with humiliating chants from pro-Messi Al-Ittihad fans in the stands, he could only suffer in silence as footage emerged of a large group of supporters vociferously shouting: “Messi, Messi, Messi!”