? Cristiano Ronaldo “goes missing”! Ronaldo’s lackluster performance almost cost Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League in a draw with Al-Riyadh

Cristiano Ronaldo’s much-hyped move to Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr has been far from the goal-scoring frenzy fans had anticipated. The Portuguese superstar’s underwhelming performance in a recent match against Al-Riyadh almost cost his team valuable points in the Saudi Pro League title race.

Al-Nassr entered the match as clear favorites, with Ronaldo leading the attack alongside other seasoned stars like Anderson Talisca and Vincent Aboubakar. However, the home side Al-Riyadh proved to be a stubborn opponent, frustrating Al-Nassr’s attacking efforts and threatening on the counterattack.

The game’s opening goal came from an unlikely source, with Al-Nassr defender Aymeric Laporte turning the ball into his own net in the 15th minute. This early setback seemed to jolt Al-Nassr into action, and they quickly regained control of the match.

Ronaldo, in particular, was eager to make his mark on the game. He found himself in several promising positions, but his finishing touch let him down. One particularly glaring miss came in the 25th minute when he was put through on goal but somehow skied his shot over the bar.

Al-Riyadh, sensing Al-Nassr’s vulnerability, grew in confidence and capitalized on their opponents’ mistakes. In the 38th minute, they found the equalizer through Andre Gray, who finished off a swift counterattack with a clinical strike.

The second half saw Al-Nassr desperately trying to regain the lead, but their efforts were hampered by Ronaldo’s continued profligacy in front of goal. The Portuguese forward had another golden opportunity in the 65th minute when he was played in by Sadio Mane, but his shot was well saved by Al-Riyadh goalkeeper Ahmed Mosa.

Al-Nassr’s frustration boiled over in the 78th minute when Laporte was sent off for a second yellow card, leaving his team down to ten men. Despite the numerical disadvantage, Al-Nassr continued to push for a winner, and their persistence was rewarded in the seventh minute of stoppage time when Meshari Al-Nemer headed home a dramatic equalizer.

The final whistle blew on a 2-2 draw, leaving Al-Nassr ruing two points dropped and Ronaldo’s underwhelming performance. The Portuguese superstar, who has scored just twice in his last five matches, will need to rediscover his goal-scoring touch if Al-Nassr are to have any chance of challenging for the Saudi Pro League title.

Ronaldo’s performance has once again raised questions about his ability to perform at the highest level. At 39 years old, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner is no longer the unstoppable goalscoring machine he once was. His recent struggles suggest that age might finally be catching up with him.

Despite his recent struggles, Ronaldo remains a huge draw for Al-Nassr and the Saudi Pro League. His presence has brought increased attention and investment to the league, and his goalscoring exploits remain a major attraction for fans. However, if Al-Nassr are to achieve their ambitions, they will need more from Ronaldo than just his star power. They will need him to rediscover his goal-scoring touch and deliver the kind of performances that have made him one of the greatest players of all time.