Cristiano Ronaldo Skips Medal Ceremony as Al-Nassr Lose AFC Champions League 2 Final to Gamba Osaka

Cristiano Ronaldo was nowhere to be seen at the medal ceremony following Al-Nassr’s 1-0 defeat to Gamba Osaka in the AFC Champions League 2 final on Saturday, according to reports. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner left the pitch immediately at the final whistle, declining to collect a runners-up medal after missing multiple scoring opportunities throughout the match.

The final, played at Al-Nassr’s home ground, the King Saud University Stadium, saw the Saudi side control large portions of the game but ultimately fail to break down their Japanese opponents. Gamba Osaka, competing in only their second AFC Champions League 2 final, secured the title with a solitary goal despite facing a hostile home crowd.

The cup defeat marked a second significant blow for Al-Nassr in the space of less than a week. Earlier in the week, the club dropped two critical points against league rivals Al-Hilal in a 1-1 draw that shifted the Saudi Pro League title race. Al-Nassr had been on course for a vital victory through Mohamed Simakan’s goal before goalkeeper Bento mishandled a long throw-in in the dying moments, allowing the ball to roll into his own net and hand Al-Hilal an equaliser.

Since arriving at Al-Nassr in December 2022, Ronaldo has now suffered defeat in four cup finals with the club. His sole piece of silverware during that period remains the 2023 Arab Club Champions Cup, a competition that is not classified as a major official tournament. The latest loss compounds a growing sense of frustration for the 41-year-old, who joined the Saudi Pro League club on a high-profile deal widely reported to be among the most lucrative in football history.

Despite the consecutive setbacks, Al-Nassr retain a realistic path to ending the season with a domestic title. The club heads into the final matchday of the Saudi Pro League campaign sitting two points clear of Al-Hilal at the top of the table. A home victory against Damac on Thursday would be sufficient to secure the league championship, regardless of Al-Hilal’s result in their simultaneous fixture.

The title decider sets up a compelling conclusion to the Saudi Pro League season. Should Al-Nassr win, Ronaldo would add a second piece of silverware to his record with the club and cap a turbulent week on a positive note. Failure to win, however, combined with an Al-Hilal victory, could yet see the title slip away — a scenario that would extend what has been a largely trophy-barren spell for one of football’s most decorated players.