Cristiano Ronaldo’s pursuit of a Saudi Pro League title with Al Nassr faced a significant setback Friday after a dramatic 2-1 loss to Al Qadsiah. The defeat leaves the team eight points behind leaders Al Ittihad, with only six matches remaining in the season.
Al Qadsiah struck first when Turki Al-Ammar capitalized on a rebound in the 35th minute after Al Nassr’s goalkeeper blocked Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s initial attempt. A late equalizer from Sadio Mane in the 84th minute briefly reignited hopes for Al Nassr, especially after Al Ittihad’s loss the previous day. But Aubameyang silenced the visitors with a decisive header in the 87th minute.
The result shifts attention to Al Nassr’s uphill battle to close the gap in the league standings. For Ronaldo, who joined the club in January 2023, the defeat underscores the challenges of clinching silverware in a tightly contested season.
