IBADAN, NIGERIA (VOICE OF NAIJA) – Cristiano Ronaldo’s insatiable appetite for success continues, as the 38-year-old was left shocked that he was not awarded Man of the Match in the Arab Club Champions Cup final, despite scoring a game-winning brace.
Al-Nassr were crowned Arab Club Champions Cup winners for the first time in their history on Saturday afternoon at the King Fahd Stadium, after defeating Al-Hilal; and they have a lot to thank Cristiano Ronaldo for.
Al-Nassr were staring at defeat with just under 20 minutes of the game remaining.
They were 1-0 down after Michael’s opener and had been reduced to 10 men following Abdulelah Al-Amri’s red card.
But Ronaldo always seems to produce his best when his team needs him the most and he single-handedly turned the game on its head.
The legendary footballer netted an equaliser with 16 minutes remaining as he tapped home from close range.
The game went to extra-time and, despite Al-Nassr’s numerical disadvantage, Ronaldo was able to put his side ahead.
Seko Fofana’s long-range effort rebounded off the bar and straight to Ronaldo, who headed the ball into the back of the net.
Al-Hilal pushed and pushed for an equaliser but the 10 men of Al-Nassr held firm to clinch the title.
The 38-year-old was forced off injured late on but celebrated wildly alongside his teammates after the final whistle.
Ronaldo was presented with multiple awards after the final whistle.
He was given an award for being the top scorer of the tournament with six goals, while he was also handed the Arab Club Champions Cup trophy as captain of his side.
But one award he did not receive was the award given to the best player in the final.
The organisation gave that particular award to Sergei Milinkovic-Savic, who ended up on the losing side.
Ronaldo’s reaction to the Serbian being given the award was captured and its fair to say he didn’t agree with the decision.
The 38-year-old was not amused and could be seen making his case to one of the individuals responsible for giving out the award, according to Marca.
Ronaldo could be seen holding up two fingers to the individual – symbolising the two goals he scored in the final – while he also had a bemused look on his face.
Ronaldo took to Instagram after the game to share his pleasure at winning his first title with Al-Nassr.
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He wrote: “Extremely proud to helped the team winning this important trophy for the 1st time! Thank you to everyone in the club that was involved in this great achievement and to my familly and friends for always being by my side! Fantastic support by our fans! This also belongs to you!”
Reactions have trailed Ronaldo winning his first silverware in the Arab League.
@streplic said, “Ronaldo we are proud of you. Even us Messi fans appreciate you, can’t speak for everyone but you deserve this. Amazing performance 🔥👏👏”
@holorunbiggest commented, “Greatest of all time 🐐🐐🐐✅✅✅”
@asiwajularry tweeted, “38 and still conquering every challenges. No one does it better than the GOAT!’
“The Greatest there was. The Greatest there is. The Greatest there will ever be. 🐐
@willreact92 weighed in, “Imagine getting mad at Ronaldo for helping Al nassr win their first Arab cup, go watch your burger league.”
There exists a faction of fans who remain unconvinced by the feats of the Portuguese maestro.
They propose an alternate perspective, suggesting that the competition might have been manipulated to favour him.
@MrBlackOG alluded, “They scripted the match for Ronaldo to win with 10 men.”
Another user, @LunihanV1, suggested Ronaldo’s match-winning goal was suspicious, “Just look at the way Al Hilal defended that second goal. Very suspicious! All scripted for Ronaldo to make him look clutch.”
@BlancoYMessiii went a step further by claiming Al-Hilal was robbed of a penalty in the dying embers of the match, “They denied Al Hilal a clear pen in the last minute. Scripted.”
@_VALKlNG argued, “No Matter How Many Scripted Final They Give to Ronaldo, Lionel Messi Will Forever Be the Goat of Football!”
@RichieOG8 backed his conspiracy theories with key highlights from the match:
“Al Nassr went down, Ronaldo equalized with a tap in. Ronaldo puts Al Nassr ahead with a rebound. Fakes injury for sympathizers to milk about his performance. Now tell me if this is not scripted.”