Al Hilal coach Jorge Jesus commented on Cristiano Ronaldo's reaction to defeat after the 39-year-old was sent off for elbowing Al Hilal's Ali Al-Bulayhi in Al Nassr's 2-1 loss on Monday. Jesus acknowledged Ronaldo's unparalleled success and competitive spirit, stating that the star player struggles to accept defeat due to his illustrious career marked by victories.
Jesus praised Ronaldo as one of the world's most influential players and a role model for many. He attributed Ronaldo's emotional response to the unfamiliar territory of losing, emphasizing the challenging nature of facing formidable defenders like Kalidou Koulibaly and Al-Bulayhi, whom he described as the best in Saudi football.
Following Ronaldo's red card, which involved a gesture towards the official, Al Nassr expressed disappointment with the refereeing decisions on social media, hinting at pre-determined outcomes. The club's post suggested frustration with the match's officiating and hinted at a sense of injustice.
Al Nassr coach Luis Castro echoed the sentiment, arguing that VAR should have intervened as Ronaldo's actions did not warrant a sending off. Castro highlighted previous instances where Ronaldo was provoked and emphasized the minimal contact between Ronaldo and Al-Bulayhi, insinuating that the opposing player exaggerated the incident.
The defeat dealt a significant blow to Ronaldo and Al Nassr's aspirations for silverware this season, with the team facing elimination from domestic cup competitions and the Asian Champions League. Currently trailing Al Hilal by 12 points in the league standings with seven games remaining, Al Nassr's title hopes appear bleak.
