Al-Nassr fans have taken to social media to criticise star man Cristiano Ronaldo after the Saudi club has gone yet another year without a trophy.
This means Ronaldo, 40, has won just four league titles in his previous 16 seasons, winning only two at both Real Madrid and Juventus respectively.
Ronaldo won the Arab Club Champions Cup with Al-Nassr in 2023. However, for a club that has won nine league titles in their history, a six-year drought is a disappointment, particularly with the veteran in their ranks.
The side finished runners-up in his first two years and are on track to finish third this campaign, therefore showing little sign of progression despite spending £64million on Aston Villa star Jhon Duran in January.
Jhon Duran joined Cristiano Ronaldo at Al-Nassr for £64million from Aston Villa in January
Reuters
They have also struggled in the AFC Champions League, losing in the semi-finals to Japanese club Kawasaki this year.
Seasoned pros who have followed Ronaldo over to the Saudi Pro League have tasted success, however.
Riyadh Mahrez, Roberto Firmino and Ivan Toney won the AFC Champions League this year with Al-Ahli, while Aleksandr Mitrovic, Ruben Neves and Kalidou Koulibaly, who play for Al-Hilal, won the league last year.
This year, despite Ronaldo being on course to collect the golden boot for the second year running, Karim Benzema, Fabinho and N’Golo Kante look set to win their second league title since they made the move to the Middle East.
JUST IN: Gary Lineker 'takes full responsibility' in grovelling apology after sharing anti-Semitic post
Roberto Firmino lifted the AFC Champions League with Al-Ahli earlier this month
Reuters
Ronaldo’s performances have not tailed off, with the five-time Ballon d’Or winner scoring 33 goals in all competitions so far this season. However, fans are starting to feel as though it might be time for the forward to move on.
Speaking on X, one fan wrote: “Ronaldo, you are old, your time is up. Leave the club. Leave the club. We want to win championships. Your presence in the club is destroying the system. You are a player whose time is up…”
Another fan added: “DO NOT RENEW YOUR CONTRACT WITH AL-NASSR”
READ MORE: Taiwo Awoniyi 'set to come out of induced coma' as Nottingham Forest 'anticipate full recovery'
A third explained: “You have a history, yes we know that, but you haven't done anything so far, and we know you won't offer us anything in the future, so please leave the club and go to Portugal, which you've always dreamed of. You'll enjoy it there.”
A fourth simply added: “Bro you’re holding Al Nassr back, please retire, thank you.”
The reaction is surprising, with the Portuguese averaging a goal roughly every 99 minutes in all competitions during his time at the club.
LATEST SPORTS NEWS:
- FIFA chief insists United Kingdom must host World Cup - 'It is time'
- F1 news: FIA announce major U-turn over swearing rules ahead of Emilia Romagna Grand Prix
- Emma Raducanu makes decision on Andy Murray as coach ahead of Wimbledon days after Italian Open loss
Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 33 goals in all competitions for Al-Nassr this year
This represents a remarkably consistent goal return, particularly considering Ronaldo had his 40th birthday this year.
However, the details of his newly signed contract were revealed recently, with the forward expected to earn around €180million for the 2025/26 season.
Even this figure represents a small decrease on his current salary, and it would be fair to expect silverware as a result of that.
Ronaldo’s motivations are clear: 1,000 career goals, and he would be the first to do it.
He currently sits on 934, so if the five-time Champions League winner can keep going at this rate, he could be there in just two years.
