Featured Image Credit: SSC
Topics: Cristiano Ronaldo, Al Nassr, Real Madrid, Manchester United
Josh Lawless
Topics: Cristiano Ronaldo, Al Nassr, Real Madrid, Manchester United
Cristiano Ronaldo took the worst free-kick of his career for Al Nassr as they lost 1-0 to title rivals Al Ittihad.
The two sides met in the 'Saudi Superclasico' at the King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah, with Nassr just two points clear at the top going into the clash.
But it was the hosts who picked up a second victory against Nassr in a matter of months courtesy of a strike from Romarinho in the 80th minute.
Ronaldo was unable to add to his tally of six goals in the Saudi Pro League and he received a lot of criticism for a horrific set-piece attempt.
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Al Nassr had a free-kick on the right side and it looked like it was shaped nicely for a cross into the box.
There were two men in the wall and Ronaldo fancied his chances. He lined up with his usual stance and legs spread apart and went for his trademark knuckleball technique.
However, the 38-year-old lashed the ball high and wide and into the stands and showed that he's not quite a set-piece specialist these days despite having scored a fair few in his career.
The five-time Ballon d'Or winner had the cheek of appealing for a corner, feeling that his poor strike had actually taken a deflection.
Ronaldo was loudly booed by the opposition fans prior to the game and reacted by smiling and nodding his head. He shared a warm embrace with compatriot Nuno Espirito Santo, who managed him when the Riyadh XI took on Paris Saint-Germain in a mid-season friendly.
But his mood was much-changed at the final whistle as Ronaldo fumed over a second defeat against Al Ittihad - which put his side one point behind in the title race.
The captain was seen throwing his hands about in a strop before kicking water bottles in anger.
Al Nassr will look to bounce back on Tuesday when they take on Abha in the King Cup of Champions quarter-final.