Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr Triumphs Over Al-Hilal Amidst VAR Controversy

On May 17, 2024, Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr team secured a crucial victory against Saudi Pro League leaders Al-Hilal, marking Ronaldo's 54th goal involvement this season.

The match, held at Al Awwal Stadium in Saudi Arabia, saw Al-Nassr take an early lead with a goal by Otavio just 22 seconds into the game. However, the game took a dramatic turn in the final minutes when a controversial VAR call led to a penalty kick for Al-Hilal. Aleksandar Mitrovic converted the penalty in the 90+10' minute to tie the game.

The VAR decision was met with widespread criticism, as replays indicated that Sadio Mane's contact in the area was not sufficient to warrant a penalty kick. There were also suggestions that the contact may have occurred outside the box. This decision sparked outrage among Al-Nassr players and fans, with Cristiano Ronaldo himself visibly upset.

After the game, Ronaldo protested the decision, waving his hands in frustration and later thanking the fans for their support. This incident marks Ronaldo's 54th goal involvement this season.

Before the match, Ronaldo met with former Chelsea striker Adrian Mutu and his son in Saudi Arabia. This meeting added a personal touch to the event, highlighting Ronaldo's influence and connections within the football community.

Despite the controversy, Al-Nassr's victory over Al-Hilal was significant. Al-Hilal remains undefeated after 32 games and is likely to achieve a perfect season. This win preserves Ronaldo's impressive goal involvement record and underscores Al-Nassr's competitive spirit.

Ronaldo's Al-Nassr team has faced challenges in their bid for honors in multiple competitions, including the Saudi Pro League and AFC Champions League. Despite adding top players like Sadio Mane, Seko Fofana, Marcelo Brozovic, Aymeric Laporte, and Alex Telles to the squad, Al-Nassr has struggled to achieve consistent success.

However, Ronaldo has captained his team to silverware, winning the Arab Club Champions Cup (King Salman Club Cup) with a 2-1 defeat of rivals Al Hilal. Al-Nassr finished second in the 2022/23 Saudi Pro League and fell in the semifinals of the King Cup and Saudi Super Cup.

Looking ahead, Ronaldo's next match for Al-Nassr will be against Al Riyadh on May 23 in the penultimate round of Saudi Pro League matches. This game will be crucial as Al-Nassr continues to push for a strong finish to the season.

The victory over Al-Hilal, despite the VAR controversy, highlights Ronaldo's continued impact in the Saudi Pro League and his ability to inspire his team to overcome challenges.

Key Takeaways

• Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr team beats Al-Hilal 2-1 in Saudi Pro League.
• Ronaldo reaches 54 goal involvements this season despite VAR controversy.
• Al-Hilal's penalty kick sparks outrage among Al-Nassr players and fans.
• Ronaldo's team preserves his impressive goal involvement record with the win.
• Al-Nassr faces Al Riyadh on May 23 in the penultimate round of Saudi Pro League.