Cristiano Ronaldo repeatedly shrugs and appears to argue with himself after latest Al-Nassr heartbreak – as he looks set to end the season trophyless

Cristiano Ronaldo struggled to come to terms with Al-Nassr crashing out of the AFC Champions League on Wednesday night as he exhibited some unique behaviour at full-time.

The Saudi side were beaten 3-2 by Japanese outfit Kawasaki in the semi-finals of the competition despite dominating much of the game.

With Al-Nassr languishing in third place in the Saudi Pro League and out of the King’s Cup, their exit means they are likely to end the season trophyless.

Ronaldo missed a huge chance in the final seconds of the clash as he failed to connect with his effort under pressure after rounding the Kawasaki keeper.

In a clip that has gone viral, after full-time the 40-year-old was disconsolate in the centre circle.

Ronaldo, who was on his own, then repeatedly shrugged and even seemed to be arguing with himself.

The Portuguese superstar gestured with his hands and also seemed to be speaking to himself as he struggled to contain his frustrations.

After a brief period, Ronaldo put his hands on his hips and looked up to the sky until he wandered off.

And fans were left bemused by Ronaldo’s actions as one said: ‘They knocked Ronaldo out of the AFC Champions League and my G started speaking to ghosts!’

Another suporter added: ‘This guy is so dramatic.’

However, others were more sympathetic to Ronaldo’s plight as one said: ‘I’m sad,’ before another quipped: ‘TOUGH,’ with a crying emoji. 

Al-Nasr’s defeat came despite the fact Ronaldo’s side mustered 21 shots and 74 per cent of possession.

Their exit from the competition also means Ronaldo – who has scored 33 times in 37 games this season – has only picked up one trophy since arriving in the Middle East in December 2022.

Nevertheless, Ronaldo attempted to stay upbeat after the game as he posted a message on social media.

 

‘Sometimes the dream has to wait,’ he said. ‘I’m proud of this team and everything we gave on the pitch.

‘Thank you to all the fans who believed in us and stood by us every step of the way. Your support means the world.’ 

Kawasaki will next face Al-Ahli, another Saudi side boasting a squad packed with high-profile foreign internationals, in the final on Saturday with both clubs looking to win their maiden continental crown.

The Japanese side, who had needed extra time to defeat Qatar’s Al-Sadd in the quarter-finals on Sunday, made an encouraging start to the Al-Nassr clash, as Marcinho outmuscled Brozovic to win possession 35 yards from goal before shooting wide.

Four minutes later Shigetoshi Hasebe’s outfit had taken an unexpected lead.

Ozeki’s pass to the left found Marcinho and, after the forward’s centre was headed towards the edge of the area by defender Mohamed Simakan, the unmarked Ito lashed a first-time volley into the top corner to stun the Saudi fans.

Al-Nassr struggled to find their rhythm in the opening stages, a Jhon Duran shot that flew high and wide after he was fed by Ronaldo in the 18th minute was a rare sight of goal for Stefano Pioli’s side.

That changed when Mane levelled the scores, the former Liverpool man benefitting from a slight deflection off the shoulder of Yuichi Maruyama that took his shot past Kawasaki goalkeeper Louis Yamaguchi.

Ronaldo then rattled the frame of the goal with a header moments after sending an overhead effort wide of the target as Al-Nassr started to take control of proceedings.

But with four minutes left in the half Kawasaki reclaimed the lead through the doggedness of Ito, whose determined running unsettled the Al-Nassr defence. While Bento saved the winger’s close-range shot, Ozeki calmly converted the rebound.

Their decisive third came 14 minutes from time after Erison drove along the Al-Nassr byline to set up fellow substitute Ienaga to strike.

Yahya thumped home Al-Nassr’s second in the 87th minute before Yamaguchi twice denied an increasingly desperate Ronaldo in injury time as Kawasaki claimed a famous win.