Cristiano Ronaldo reacts after starring for Al-Nassr in Saudi Super Cup semi-final win
Al-Nassr captain Cristiano Ronaldo has reacted after leading his team to the Saudi Super Cup final with a 2-0 win over Al-Taawoun on Wednesday (August 14). Al-Hilal await in the final on Saturday (August 17).
Ayman Yahya opened the scoring for the Knights of Najd inside the opening eight minutes before Ronaldo doubled their advantage 12 minutes into the second period with his first strike of the season.
Luis Castro's side saw out the game without much ado to book a title clash with Al-Hilal, who beat them to the Saudi Pro League title as well as in the King's Cup final last season.
Following the win over Al-Taawoun, Ronaldo tweeted while sharing a few pictures of himself celebrating with his teammates during the game:
"Super Cup final here we come!"
Last season, Ronaldo and Co. had lost 2-1 to Al-Hilal in the Super Cup semi-final. Following a goalless first half, Salem Al-Dawsari opened the scoring for Al-Hilal in the 61st minute before Malcolm doubled their advantage 11 minutes later.
Sadio Mane bagged a late consolation in the ninth minute of stoppage time, but it was too little too late as Castro's side were eliminated from the competition. A year later, they would hope for a different outcome against the reigning Super Cup winners, who beat Al-Ahli Saudi 4-1 on penalties in the other semi-final after a 1-1 draw.
Louis Saha tips Al-Nassr captain Cristiano Ronaldo for managerial success
Former Manchester United attacker Louis Saha has tipped Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo for success in the managerial field once he retires from the playing arena.
While the 39-year-old hasn't hinted about retirement anytime soon, Ronaldo is clearly in the twilight of his career, having first emerged on the scene as a precocious teenager in the early 2000s.
"Cristiano has the ability to be a very successful manager, " Saha told CSDB (via Mirror). "We've seen his energy and his passion. He'd have the desire of Diego Simeone and the credibility of Zinedine Zidane.
"That combination as well as all his experience of working under Jose Mourinho, Carlo Ancelotti as well as Sir Alex Ferguson, the knowledge he would bring is crazy."
Saha concluded:
"It's not just about football, but he represents so much in terms of how you should conduct yourself and go about achieving your goals. He could be a manager, a club president.
The Al-Nassr captain is coming off a 44-goal 2022-23 season with Al-Nassr but drew blanks in five games for Portugal at Euro 2024.