Cristiano Ronaldo was moments away from the eighth league title of his career before a bizarre own goal kept Al Hilal’s unbeaten season alive in the Saudi Professional League with a 1-1 draw.
Ronaldo (41 years old) won league titles in England, Spain and Italy during his busy career, and the victory would have added more victories. Saudi crown To his name on the fourth attempt.
But a crazy late goal means Al Hilal trails Al Nassr by five points with two matches remaining.
Al-Nasr took the lead in the 37th minute when Mohamed Simakan sent the ball into the net after a corner kick.
Karim Benzema, Ronaldo’s former Real Madrid teammate, had a header ruled out for offside as Al Hilal looked for an equaliser.
Ronaldo was extremely unhappy with Al Hilal’s signing of Karim Benzema in early February, accusing Al Nasr’s owners, the Saudi Public Investment Fund, of not caring and showing his dissatisfaction by missing two matches.
Ronaldo was substituted seven minutes from time, echoing the scenes in which Portugal won Euro 2016, and watched intently from the touchline as time ticked down.
Al-Nassr looked dry at home, but then, incredibly, they conceded in the 98th minute when goalkeeper Pinto hit a long throw into his own net under pressure.
The Al-Nasr team, led by Jorge Jesus, can clinch the title if it wins over Damac on May 20, or if Al-Hilal fails to beat NEOM on May 16.
