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Fans have reacted as a Cristiano Ronaldo-less Al-Nassr side eked out a narrow 2-1 at Al-Hazem in the King Cup of Champions Round of 32 on Monday (September 23).
The 39-year-old Ronaldo has now missed two games across competitions this season, also missing the Knights of Najd's 1-1 draw at Al-Shorta in their AFC Champions League Elite opener.
In the absence of their inspirational captain, Stefano Pioli's side struggled at the King Abdullah Sport City Stadium in Buraidah. Sadio Mane's opener in first-half stoppage time was cancelled out by Basil Yousef Alsayyali just past the hour mark.
Just when it seemed that a draw would ensue, Nawaf Boushal popped up with the winner in the second minute of stoppage time to give his team a hard-fought win on the road.
Despite the victory, fans were far from happy, with one lamenting on X:
"Our worst win ever"
Another chimed in:
"Lucky win but we'll take that"
There were similar reactions from other fans, with one tweeting:
"Played like a sh*t and got some luck"
Another enquired:
"Where is Ronaldo?"
One tweeted:
"Al-Nassr doesn't need Ronaldo..! Ronaldo needs Al-Nassr for 1000 goals."
As per Saudi Arabian newspaper Al-Jazirah (via GOAL), Ronaldo recovered from a virus but was excluded from Pioli's matchday squad for the Al-Hazm trip.
That was done to keep him fresh for the games with Al-Wehda (September 27) and Al-Rayyan (September 30) in the Saudi Pro League and AFC Champions League respectively.
How has Cristiano Ronaldo fared for Al-Nassr this season?
Cristiano Ronaldo has had a superb start to the new season, his second full campaign in Saudi Arabian football with Al-Nassr, whom he joined in December 2022 on a free transfer.
Following a 44-goal 2023-24 campaign - including a record 35 strikes in the Saudi Pro League - the five-time Ballon d'Or winner has continued from where he left off. Ronaldo scored in his first four outings across competitions before he drew blanks in the 1-1 Saudi Pro League home draw with Al-Ahli.
After missing the AFC Champions League winner, Ronaldo returned to scoring ways in the 3-0 league win at Al-Ettifaq last week before missing the King's Cup fixture at Al-Hazem.
Overall, the Portugal captain has five goals and two assists in six outings across competitions for Pioli's side, with the new Italian boss replacing Felipe Castro earlier this month.
