Cristiano Ronaldo was visibly upset after Al-Nassr’s loss to Al-Hilal in the Riyadh Seasons Cup. As a result, he threw his runners-up medal into the crowd.
The defeat was made worse by the crowd’s support for Lionel Messi, Ronaldo’s longtime rival. The chanting of “Messi, Messi, Messi” provoked a response from Ronaldo, who asserted, “I am here, not Messi.”
This reflects the ongoing rivalry between the two players who have vied for the title of the greatest of all time throughout their careers. Following the game, Al-Hilal emerged victorious, and Ronaldo had to watch as they received their medals.
The tournament’s MVP was Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, and Aleksandar Mitrovic was named the Player of the Tournament. In a fit of frustration, footage on social media captured Ronaldo storming off the pitch, discarding his medal into the stands.
Despite Ronaldo’s individual success in the Saudi Pro League, with 20 goals in 18 matches, his team, Al-Nassr, has not achieved the same level of success. Their second-place status behind Al-Hilal, who currently leads the league, has been a source of disappointment for the team, especially with injured star Neymar unable to assist.
Ronaldo’s future in Saudi Arabia is uncertain, with speculation from former Al-Nassr boss Rudi Garcia suggesting a return to Europe in the future. Ronaldo’s current contract with Al-Nassr extends until 2025, when he will be over 40 years old.