On April 30, 2025, the football world turned its eyes to Jeddah’s King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, where Al Nassr, led by global icon Cristiano Ronaldo, faced off against Japan’s Kawasaki Frontale in the AFC Champions League semifinals. The match, a rollercoaster of emotions, ended in a 3-2 defeat for Al Nassr, dashing their hopes of continental glory and extending Ronaldo’s trophy drought in Saudi Arabia. The loss has sparked intense debate among fans, with reactions ranging from unwavering support to scathing criticism, as the 40-year-old football legend navigates a challenging chapter in his illustrious career.
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A Thrilling Semifinal Ends in Disappointment
The match began with Kawasaki Frontale, an underdog J-League side, stunning the star-studded Al Nassr squad early. In the 10th minute, Tatsuya Ito unleashed a spectacular first-time volley from the edge of the penalty area, sending the ball into the top corner and silencing the Saudi crowd. Ito later reflected on the surreal experience, likening playing against Ronaldo to being in a “video game,” according to Al Jazeera. Despite the early setback, Al Nassr fought back, with Sadio Mane leveling the score in the 28th minute through a deflected right-footed shot that wrong-footed Kawasaki goalkeeper Louis Yamaguchi.
However, Kawasaki regained the lead before halftime through Yuto Ozeki, who capitalized on a rebound after Ito’s pace exposed Al Nassr’s defense. The Japanese side extended their advantage in the 76th minute when substitute Akihiro Ienaga struck, making it 3-1. Al Nassr mounted a late comeback attempt with Aiman Yahya’s long-range strike in the 87th minute, setting up a tense finish. In the dying seconds, Ronaldo had a golden opportunity to equalize, rounding the goalkeeper but stumbling at the crucial moment, as reported by the Daily Mail. Kawasaki held on for a famous 3-2 victory, advancing to the final against Al-Ahli while Al Nassr’s AFC Champions League dream crumbled.
Ronaldo’s Post-Match Reflection: Pride Amid Frustration
Following the defeat, Ronaldo took to X to share his thoughts, posting at 19:35 UTC on April 30, 2025: “Sometimes the dream has to wait. I’m proud of this team and everything we gave on the pitch. Thank you to all the fans who believed in us and stood by us every step of the way. Your support means the world. ” Accompanying the post were three images: Ronaldo clapping to the fans in a gesture of appreciation, the Al Nassr squad posing before the match with the club crest prominently displayed, and a sea of supporters waving yellow and blue flags, showcasing the passionate fanbase that had traveled to support their team.
Sometimes the dream has to wait. I’m proud of this team and everything we gave on the pitch.
— Cristiano Ronaldo (@Cristiano) April 30, 2025
Thank you to all the fans who believed in us and stood by us every step of the way. Your support means the world.pic.twitter.com/sLP6k4ihrH
Ronaldo’s message highlighted his pride in the team’s effort, but the loss marked another trophyless season for the Portuguese star since joining Al Nassr in 2023. As noted in a reply by
@ExclusiveMessi, Al Nassr has lost in the Domestic League, Domestic Supercup, UCL/ACL, and EFL Cup/Riyadh Cup across the 2021/22 to 2024/25 seasons, a stark contrast to Ronaldo’s trophy-laden tenures at Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus.
Fan Reactions: A Divided Supporter Base
The X replies to Ronaldo’s post reveal a fanbase torn between loyalty and frustration. Supporters like @TimelineCR7 expressed unwavering admiration, writing, “VIVA RONALDO FOREVER. ,” while @Ahm77I injected humor, asking, “What are you doing here? alongside a lighthearted image. Others, however, were less forgiving.
@TheMahleek voiced disappointment, stating, “You missed an open net in the last minutes that sent my childhood club Al Nassr home. You’re not the GOAT ,” reflecting the high expectations placed on Ronaldo.
More critical was @9NSRa, who wrote a lengthy reply lamenting the team’s persistent failures: “We’ve been patient for six years, enduring the worst scenarios in football history — and you say ‘Sometimes the dream has to wait’? You and the team have let us down.” The user pointed to systemic issues, including a lack of a competent coach and president, and urged Ronaldo to take decisive action as a leader. Similarly, @f11az shared an emotional plea in Portuguese, accompanied by an image of a young Al Nassr fan in tears, holding the team’s scarf. The post called out the team’s lack of passion and honor, placing the weight of the child’s tears on Ronaldo as the captain: “If you are truly the leader, speak. Demand the coach’s exit. Demand players of your caliber.”
A Legacy Under Scrutiny
The defeat has reignited discussions about Ronaldo’s impact at Al Nassr. Since his arrival in 2023, the club has failed to secure any major titles, a fact highlighted by @TouchlineX in a trending post: “Cristiano Ronaldo since joining Al-Nassr: 3 seasons, 0 titles.” Critics, such as @CrewsMat10, who rated Ronaldo’s performance a 6.4 and wrote, “You should be ashamed for letting your team down,” point to missed opportunities, like the last-gasp chance against Kawasaki, as evidence of decline.
@Al_Nassrt even called for Ronaldo to leave, stating, “This is Cristiano Ronaldo’s legacy.. Get out of my Al Nassr.”
Yet, Ronaldo’s defenders argue that the team’s shortcomings cannot be placed solely on his shoulders. Al Nassr boasts a talented roster, including Sadio Mane, but has struggled with cohesion and tactical direction under coach Stefano Pioli. Kawasaki’s clinical performance exposed defensive frailties, and while Ronaldo’s missed chance was pivotal, the team’s overall play lacked the sharpness needed to overcome a determined opponent.
The Bigger Picture: What’s Next for Ronaldo and Al Nassr?
At 40, Ronaldo continues to defy age with his physicality and goal-scoring prowess, but the lack of silverware in Saudi Arabia raises questions about his legacy in this phase of his career. His move to Al Nassr was seen as a chance to dominate a new league and add to his trophy cabinet, but the reality has been far more challenging. The AFC Champions League exit follows a pattern of near misses, with Al Nassr consistently falling short in crucial moments.
For Al Nassr, the loss underscores deeper issues. Fans like @f11az demand structural changes, from the coaching staff to the squad composition, echoing sentiments seen when Karim Benzema publicly criticized his situation at Al-Ittihad. Ronaldo, as captain, may need to take a more vocal leadership role to address these concerns, as suggested by supporters urging him to follow Benzema’s example.
Conclusion: A Dream Deferred, But Not Abandoned
Cristiano Ronaldo’s journey with Al Nassr has been a mix of individual brilliance and collective disappointment. The 3-2 loss to Kawasaki Frontale is a bitter pill to swallow, but as Ronaldo himself stated, “Sometimes the dream has to wait.” Whether he can lead Al Nassr to glory in the remaining years of his career remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the passion of the fans, both in support and criticism, will continue to fuel this ongoing saga. For now, the football world watches as Ronaldo, a player who has always thrived under pressure, faces one of the toughest challenges of his career—proving that his legacy can shine even in the twilight of his playing days.