Cristiano Ronaldo will join Portugal for World Cup duty after winning his first major trophy since moving to Saudi Arabia in 2022. Al-Nassr became Saudi Pro League champions, providing positive momentum for Portugal coach Roberto Martinez. Earlier, Al-Nassr lost the AFC Champions League Two final to Gamba Osaka, and Ronaldo faced sharp criticism. Social media circulated clips showing limited movement, poor pressing, missed chances, and blocked shots. There was also disappointment that he left the field immediately after the final whistle, missing medal and trophy presentations. Some observers claimed he was favored, burdened the team, and mainly scored from set pieces. Despite that, Ronaldo delivered in the season’s final match, helping Al-Nassr secure the league title after a tense period.
"Cristiano Ronaldo will report for World Cup duty fresh from winning his first major trophy since moving to Saudi Arabia in 2022, after Al-Nassr became Saudi Pro League champions last Thursday. That's the good news for Portugal's coach, Roberto Martinez, but there is more to think about when it comes to his biggest name."
"Al-Nassr lost the final of the AFC Champions League Two, Asia's Europa League, to Gamba Osaka of Japan. It was a poor performance and Ronaldo came in for special criticism. Not only did clips of his lack of movement, lack of pressing, missed chances and blocked shots circulate on social media, there was disappointment that, almost as soon as the final whistle went, he left the field, missing the medals' and trophy presentations."
"Rarely had opinion in the country been so negative and it may have made for worrying reading for Martinez. The team's interest should come above everything else, and [Al-Nassr's coach Jorge] Jesus has been favouring Ronaldo since the start of the season, the club's former defender Hussein Abdulghani said. He is a burden on the team and only scores from set pieces. Ronaldo is playing due to favouritism and offers nothing."
"But then, five days after the cup defeat, when the Saudi Pro League was on the line and there were nerves and tension around Al-Nassr's Alawwal Stadium, Ronaldo stepped up and showed he can still produce when the pressure is on. It was the final game of the season and Al-Nassr's first title since 2019 was in sight, but they were wobbling. Needing to win against Damac, it was looking pretty good when, early in the second half, King"
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