Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr struggle in title decider

Cristiano Ronaldo has had a difficult start to life with Al-Nassr in his first season in Saudi Arabia.

After losing in the semi-final of the Saudi Super Cup against Al-Ittihad just over a month ago, Ronaldo’s team slipped up in a crucial game at the top of the league on Tuesday.

Al-Nassr lost the big Riyadh city debry against Al-Hilal, Saudi Arabia’s most decorated club. Al-Hilal secured a 2-0 win with a brace from former Manchester United loanee Odion Ighalo. The result leaves Al-Nassr three points off the top of the table with six games remaining.

When Cristiano made his debut with Al Nassr on 22 January the team led the Saudi league with 33 points, two above Al-Ittihad. Three months later the Portuguese superstar has fulfilled his role as a goalscorer with 11 goals and two assists in 11 league games, but the team’s results have faltered slightly.

After the latest defeat the team from Riyadh are now in second but third place Al-Shabab have a game in hand and could draw level. Head coach Rudi Garcia lost his job recently and was replaced last week by Dinko Jelicic, a coach with little experience in elite football.

With nine games to go it remains to be seen if Jelicic has the know-how to turn around a difficult situation with little time to work with the team.

Two trophies left for CR7

Tuesday’s loss makes the fight for the league title very complicated, but Ronaldo still has two options for glory this campaign. Despite joining midway through the season he is just about in the running for the title of top scorer in the Saudi Pro League. His 11 goals buts him seven behind Ighalo and five behind his teammate Talisca.

There is also a chance of winning the King’s Cup of Champions. Al Nassr are already in the semi-finals for the competition and play against Al Wahda on Monday, 24 April. Ronaldo will be desperate to ensure that he does not end his first season in Saudi Arabia trophyless.