"Worst club and worst manager", "Ask Ronaldo to reduce his salary" - Fans in disbelief as Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr lose 1-0 to Portimonense
Fans have conveyed their displeasure on X after Al-Nassr lost 1-0 to Portimonense in Cristiano Ronaldo's absence. The two sides faced each other in a pre-season friendly at the Estadio Municipal de Portimao on Wednesday, July 24.
The Knights of Najd have struggled to impress this summer without Cristiano Ronaldo, who is currently on vacation with his family after representing Portugal at Euro 2024. The 39-year-old is reportedly set to reunite with his teammates at their training camp in Marbella, Spain at the start of August.
Al-Nassr have failed to win a single friendly so far after suffering consecutive 1-1 draws against Louletano DC and SC Farense. Unfortunately, they were handed their first loss of the summer against Portimonense, who were relegated from Portugal's top flight last season.
Helio Varela proved to be the difference maker in the 92nd minute, scoring a stunning solo goal after making a great run down the left wing. Cristiano Ronaldo's side failed to match Portimonense's attacking threat. The latter landed 10 shots in total with six being on target, whereas Al-Nassr had eight shots with three on target.
One fan had enough as he posted:
"Worst club and worst manager"
Another fan implored Cristiano Ronaldo to reduce his £3.6 million weekly wage so the club can make new signings amid their reported financial woes:
"Ask Ronaldo to reduce his salary to buy news players"
Other reactions can be viewed below:
"I feel sorry for CR7," one fan admitted.
"@Cristiano why? Why do you keep choosing the wrong clubs. Ffs man he did this to himself he's had so many chances since juventus to choose a better club but he hasn't," another fan typed.
"Castro is just a noise maker. Jesus is far better than him," one fan tweeted.
"Talisca as a winger = 0 advantage," one fan noted.
"How did you guys lose to a division 2 Portuguese team," one fan questioned.
"This club is cooked man. I said it last season that castro must not go into the new season as coach , y’all thought I was bluffing!" another posted.
"Al-Nassr just got beaten in a friendly by Portimonense, a team that got relegated from the Portuguese top flight last season. Ronaldo’s team can’t beat a second-division team from his own country. Why’d he even leave?" another chimed in.
Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr dealt huge blow as summer signing ruled out for 2 weeks due to injury: Reports
Cristiano Ronaldo's new teammate, Bento, is expected to be sidelined for two weeks due to a pelvic injury, according to journalist Abdulaziz Al-Asimi (h/t @TheNassrZone).
Following David Ospina's departure earlier this summer, the Knights of Najd signed Bento as their new goalkeeper from Brazilian side Athletico Paranaense on July 17. The 25-year-old was expected to make his debut against Portimonense but appeared to pick up the muscle injury during training, ruling him out.
However, this gave Nawaf Al-Aqidi the chance to make his long-awaited return to the pitch after the shot-stopper was suspended for six months last season due to a training camp-related incident. He is expected to start in goal when Al-Nassr next face Porto in their next friendly on July 28.