Not just Ten Hag! Raging Ronaldo fumes at Al-Nassr coach in embarrassing defeat

Robin Bairner

• 24 Apr 2023 16:02 CDT
• 3 min read

Cristiano Ronaldo’s adventure in Saudi Arabia hit another problem on Monday as his Al-Nassr side suffered a shock 1-0 defeat King Cup of Champions loss against Al-Wehda – and the former Manchester United attacker made sure his coaches knew he wasn’t happy.

Al-Nassr were hot favourites to overcome opponents who are struggling at the wrong end of the Saudi Pro League but found themselves 1-0 thanks to a goal from Jean-David Beauguet, a player whose best days were at Viktoria Plzen, midway through the first half.

Ronaldo marched off the field at the break with a frustrated expression on his face before venting at a coach in public, clearly frustrated with what was happening on the field.

The 38-year-old’s mood would have only darkened in the second half. Al-Wehda had a player sent off early in the second half but Ronaldo was unable to lead Al-Nassr back on terms. He did, however, hit the bar late in the game.

What did Ronaldo say?

Ronaldo appeared to be complaining about the dry pitch that Al-Nassr were playing on, pleading with the member of staff: “Water! Get water on it!”

This episode is the latest in a string of frustrations for Ronaldo in Saudi Arabia, though. Al-Nassr have failed to win any of their last three competitive matches – two draws and a defeat – which is a sequence that has seen them lose top spot in the Saudi Pro League and also lose the chance to win a cup.

Furthermore, there have been more controversies that have cast a cloud over Ronaldo. He was said to be behind the sacking of head coach Rudi Garcia, while he has also been threatened with deportation from the country following a gesture that is allegedly inappropriate.

Echoes of Ten Hag and Man Utd

Ronaldo has made something of a habit of falling out with coaches this season, having started the season AWOL from Manchester United. When he did return, he caused a stir by leaving a friendly with Rayo Vallecano early and was called out by manager Erik ten Hag.

The cold war between the two continued until Ronaldo ultimately held an interview with Piers Morgan that saw him leave the club by mutual consent.

Morgan has continued to fire shots at Ten Hag, but Ronaldo has not spoken out on the subject.