Tearful Cristiano Ronaldo mocked as Neymar laughs at the crowd chanting ‘Messi’… after the Brazilian’s Al-Hilal side beat Al-Nassr on penalties in the King’s Cup final

  • Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr lost to Neymar’s Al-Hilal on penalties in the King’s Cup final
  • Neymar laughed in the stands as supporters chanted ‘Messi’ at Ronaldo 
  • Sunday league, grassroots, pub football… how Pep’s influence has trickled down the pyramid – Listen to the It’s All Kicking Off podcast

Cristiano Ronaldo was mocked with Lionel Messi chants after losing in a cup final with Al-Nassr on Friday night.

Neymar’s Al-Hilal beat the Portuguese star’s team 5-4 in a penalty shootout at the end of a 1-1 match in the final of the King’s Cup, which also saw three players dismissed in the regulation 90 minutes.

Ronaldo was visibly devastated at the final whistle, as he fell to the ground in despair before leaving the pitch in tears.

As seen so often during games in Saudi Arabia this season, fans of Ronaldo’s opponents mocked the star with chants of Messi – his long-time rival for being named the best player in football.

Footage on social media has captured Neymar relishing the chants, as he laughs while the crowd chants the name of his former team-mate.

Neymar was caught laughing during fans chanting ‘Messi’ at Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo was left visibly distraught after Al-Nassr lost the cup final on penalties

Cristiano Ronaldo was left visibly distraught after Al-Nassr lost the cup final on penalties

Ronaldo dropped to his knees in despair after Al-Nassr's penalty shootout loss was confirmed

Ronaldo dropped to his knees in despair after Al-Nassr’s penalty shootout loss was confirmed

Ronaldo ended his first full season in Saudi Arabia without a trophy after finishing second in the league

Ronaldo ended his first full season in Saudi Arabia without a trophy after finishing second in the league

While Ronaldo ended his first full season in Saudi trophyless, Neymar’s side won two trophies – despite the Brazilian playing just three games all campaign.

The former Barcelona and PSG star suffered a cruciate ligament tear and has not played any football since the end of September. 

He was clearly in a good mood though as he saw the fun in fans chanting ‘Messi’ at Ronaldo.

Another video also caught fans chanting ‘Messi’ at Ronaldo as the Portuguese forward walked down the stairs at the King Abdullah Sport City Stadium in Jeddah with his runner-up medal.

Ronaldo was still clearly distraught as he walked down the stairs after the disappointing loss.

The 39-year-old, who earlier hit the post with a spectacular overhead kick, converted his penalty but could only watch as Bounou, a hero of Morocco’s march to the semi-finals of the 2022 World Cup, save twice from the spot during the shoot-out, the first from Ali Al-Hassan and then from Al-Nemer.

Disappointment was written on Ronaldo's face after he collected his runner-up medal

Disappointment was written on Ronaldo’s face after he collected his runner-up medal

Neymar watched from the stands as injury has kept the Brazilian out for most of the season

Neymar watched from the stands as injury has kept the Brazilian out for most of the season

Fans have chanted Messi's name at Ronaldo throughout the season in Saudi Arabia

Fans have chanted Messi’s name at Ronaldo throughout the season in Saudi Arabia

One X (formerly Twitter) user wrote: ‘Damn, Cristiano Ronaldo looks beyond broken. In fact I have never seen him like this before, it’s genuinely sad. 

‘His team actually bottled a penalty shoot-out for the 2nd time.’

Al-Nassr’s loss came just days after the end of a Saudi Pro League season in which they finished second, 14 points behind Al-Hilal. There was some consolation though as Ronaldo scored twice to set a new league record of 35 goals in a season.



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