Osaka: Cristiano Ronaldo was left emotional after Al Nassr suffered a heartbreaking 1-0 defeat against Gamba Osaka in the AFC Champions League Two final, extending the Portuguese star’s painful wait for a major trophy.
Videos circulating on social media showed Ronaldo appearing tearful after the final whistle. While the authenticity of some viral clips could not be independently verified, the defeat marked another disappointing chapter in the veteran footballer’s career since joining the Saudi Arabian club.
The loss also extended Ronaldo’s major club trophy drought to five years.
Al Nassr fall short in AFC Champions League Two final
Al Nassr entered the final in dominant form after winning all 10 of their matches during the tournament campaign. However, the Saudi side failed to deliver in the title clash as Gamba Osaka produced a disciplined defensive display to secure victory.
Japanese striker Deniz Hümmet scored the decisive goal in the 30th minute, giving the J-League side a crucial advantage.
Goalkeeper Rui Araki emerged as one of the standout performers of the match, producing key saves and frustrating Al Nassr’s attacking lineup throughout the game. He denied several attempts, including efforts involving Portuguese forward João Félix.
Despite creating chances in the second half, Al Nassr could not find an equaliser, leaving Ronaldo visibly devastated at full time.
Ronaldo’s wait for a major trophy continues
Ronaldo’s last officially recognised major club trophy came during his time with Juventus FC when the Italian giants defeated Atalanta in the Coppa Italia final.
Since joining Al Nassr in 2023, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner has endured repeated disappointments in domestic and continental competitions.
According to records, Ronaldo has now missed out on 14 official trophies with the Saudi club, including:
- Three Saudi Pro League titles
- Four King’s Cups
- Four Saudi Super Cups
- Three continental competitions
The AFC Champions League Two final defeat added another missed opportunity to the list.
Five finals lost with Al Nassr
Ronaldo has now finished runner-up in five finals with Al Nassr. These include defeats in the King’s Cup, Saudi Super Cup and AFC competitions.
Although Al Nassr won the Arab Club Champions Cup during Ronaldo’s stint, the tournament is not officially recognised by either FIFA or the Asian Football Confederation as a major competitive honour.
In that final, Ronaldo scored twice against Al Hilal SFC and captained Al Nassr to victory, but the title does not count among his officially recognised career honours.
Emotional scenes go viral online
Soon after the defeat, videos and photographs of Ronaldo appearing emotional spread rapidly across social media platforms.
Fans reacted strongly online, with many expressing sympathy for the football icon, while others praised his passion and commitment despite being in the later stages of his legendary career.
At 41, Ronaldo continues to remain one of football’s biggest global stars and is still among the top performers in Saudi football. However, the absence of major silverware with Al Nassr has become a growing talking point around his move to the Middle East.
The latest defeat has now intensified questions around whether Ronaldo will finally be able to guide Al Nassr to a major title before the end of his playing career.