Ronaldo

Is Cristiano Ronaldo’s Trophy Drought at Al-Nassr Becoming a Meme?

Fahad Hamid

It was supposed to be a grand gala evening in Saudi Arabia. All eyes were on the main event: Cristiano Ronaldo, the living legend, leading his Al-Nassr side in a highly anticipated clash against Al-Ittihad. Instead, someone forgot to give Houssem Aouar the script. The Algerian international didn’t just show up; he ripped the spotlight away from Ronaldo, netted the winning goal in a 2-1 victory, and unceremoniously booted Al-Nassr from the King’s Cup.

This wasn’t just another match. It was a statement. For Aouar, it was a dazzling performance confirming his return to form after a frustrating spell plagued by injuries. For Cristiano Ronaldo? Well, it was just another Tuesday… another trophy opportunity slipping through his fingers.

How Aouar Stole the Show from Ronaldo

Let’s be real, Al-Nassr didn’t exactly help themselves, going down to ten men just after halftime. But take nothing away from Sergio Conceição’s Al-Ittihad. They played with tactical discipline and waited for their moments. Karim Benzema, another former European giant, opened the scoring, but it was Aouar who delivered the knockout blow. His strike was a thing of beauty—precise, unstoppable, and a gut punch to David Ospina in the Al-Nassr goal.

Aouar, brimming with a swagger we haven’t seen in years, was electric. His coach, clearly relieved, couldn’t stop gushing after the match. “Houssem Aouar is a star, an exceptional player,” Conceição declared. “I’ve known him since Lyon, and since his return from injury, he’s been flawless.” Flawless might be a stretch, but on this night, against this opponent, he was pretty close. He made the pitch his playground, and Ronaldo was just a spectator.

Ronaldo’s Unbelievable Trophy Cabinet… of Dust

Ronaldo
[US, Mexico & Canada customers only] Feb 13, 2024; Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; Al Nassr players Jhon Duran and Cristiano Ronaldo celebrate after a Saudi Pro League soccer match at King Abdullah Sports City. Mandatory Credit: Reuters via Imagn Images

While Aouar is enjoying a renaissance, Cristiano Ronaldo is experiencing something entirely different in Saudi Arabia. Let’s call it a “trophy-less-aissance.” Since his high-profile move to Al-Nassr in December 2022, the man who has won literally everything in Europe has managed to win… well, nothing.

According to a rather brutal tally from TNT Sports, Ronaldo and Al-Nassr have now missed out on a staggering 13 trophies. That’s not a typo. Thirteen. It’s a collection of failures so extensive it’s starting to look like a collection in itself.

Here’s the painful breakdown of Ronaldo’s so-called “Saudi adventure”:

  • 2022/23 Season: No Saudi Championship, no King’s Cup, no Saudi Super Cup. Strike one, two, and three.
  • 2023/24 Season: History repeats. No league title, no King’s Cup, no Super Cup. Oh, and for good measure, they got knocked out of the Asian Champions League. That’s four more “L’s” for the collection.
  • 2024/25 Season: You guessed it. The same story. Four more competitions, four more times watching someone else lift the trophy.
  • 2025/26 Season: And here we are, already starting the season with defeats in the King’s Cup and Super Cup.

That brings the grand total to 13. At this rate, Al-Nassr might as well build a trophy cabinet just for participation medals. It’s a bizarre reality for a player synonymous with winning. The man who conquered Europe seems utterly incapable of stopping this train of disappointment in the Middle East. It’s almost impressive in its own way.

Is This the Beginning of Aouar’s Comeback?

For Houssem Aouar, this victory over Ronaldo’s team is more than just a single win. At 27, he’s finally shaking off the injuries and inconsistency that stalled a career once destined for the very top of European football. His performance wasn’t just a fluke; it was a sign that the maestro might be back.

He’s becoming indispensable for Al-Ittihad, and his national team, Algeria, will be watching closely. With international fixtures on the horizon, a top-form Aouar could be the creative spark they’ve been missing. By outshining one of the greatest players of all time on such a big stage, he’s sent a clear message: he’s ready to be the main man. This wasn’t just a win; it was a potential career revival, launched at the expense of Cristiano Ronaldo’s trophy hopes. And honestly, we’re here for the drama.

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