Heartbreak for Cristiano Ronaldo as Al Nassr fall short again in final

Dubai: Al Ahli have won the Saudi Super Cup — and for Al Nassr, it’s another painful case of so near yet so far. Another final, another chance to end the drought, and another collapse when it mattered most.

Saturday night in Hong Kong followed the script. Cristiano Ronaldo still hasn’t lifted a major trophy since moving to Saudi Arabia.

Of course, Ronaldo did what he always does: he stepped up and converted a first-half penalty to give Al Nassr the lead. More than the goal, it was the milestone that stood out.

With that strike, the 39-year-old became the first player in football history to score 100+ goals in four different countries, while also surpassing 100 for his national team.

Portugal, England, Spain, Italy, Saudi Arabia and internationally — his scoring record is unmatched. But here’s the cruel irony: personal records don’t win cups. Al Nassr still walked away empty-handed after Al Ahli beat them 5-3 on penalties.

Franck Kessie cancelled out Ronaldo’s opener before half-time. Marcelo Brozović thought he had won it late on, but Roger Ibañez equalised at the death.

In the shootout, Al Nassr froze. Abdulla Al Khaibari saw his spot-kick saved by ex-Chelsea keeper Édouard Mendy, and Galeno buried the winner for Al Ahli.

With Al Hilal absent, and big signings like João Félix and Kingsley Coman in the squad, this looked like Al Nassr’s best chance to finally end a five-year trophy drought. Instead, they are left with regrets — again.

Ronaldo may keep rewriting record books, but he came to Saudi Arabia to win trophies. For now, that wait goes on.