Cristiano Ronaldo refused to collect his runner-up medal after Al-Nassr lost to Gamba Osaka in the AFC Champions League Two final on Saturday night.
Ronaldo’s side had reached the final of Asian club football’s second-tier competition, however, Deniz Hommet’s goal sealed a 1-0 victory for Gamba Osaka at Al-Awwal Park in Riyadh.
After the final whistle, Ronaldo walked away from his Al-Nassr teammates and headed towards the tunnel.
The former Manchester United and Real Madrid forward did not reappear as Al-Nassr head coach Jorge Jesus led his players to the podium to collect their silver medals.
Get ready for the World Cup
Get previews of every single team at the World Cup sent directly to your inbox, featuring the players to look out for, games you shouldn’t miss and Metro’s big England predictions. Don’t miss out, sign up here.
Ronaldo could still end the season with a trophy as Al-Nassr currently sit two points clear of Al-Hilal at the top of the Saudi Pro League.
If Al-Nassr beat Damac, who are fighting to avoid relegation, they will win the league title, which would be Ronaldo’s first since joining the Saudi club in 2023.
On Tuesday, Al-Nassr missed out on the chance to secure the league title as they drew 1-1 with Al-Hilal.
Al-Nassr appeared on course to clinch the title with a 1-0 lead in injury time before goalkeeper Bento let a throw-in slip through his hands and the ball went into the back of the net to gift Al Hilal an equaliser.
Ronaldo was seen sat on the bench in disbelief. He later said in an Instagram post: ‘The dream is close. Heads up, we have one more step to take! Thank you all for the amazing support tonight.’
Jorge Jesus, who guided Al-Hilal to the Saudi Pro League title, the Saudi Kings Cup and the Super Cup in 2024, was appointed as Al-Nassr’s head coach last summer.
‘It’s tough to have lost the possibility to celebrate winning the title today on the last play of the game but there is still one more game [against Darmac], at our stadium and we can be champions,’ Jorge Jesus said.
‘We have a second chance. We still have a game to be happy. If the fans are strong as today, for sure in the last game we will be happy and we will celebrate the title.’
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.