Ronaldo wears distraught look after another final heartbreak as brutal title drought at Al Nassr continues: Watch

Cristiano Ronaldo was left visibly shattered after Al Nassr were beaten at home 1-0 by Japan's Gamba Osaka in the AFC Champions League Two final, the Asian equivalent of Europa League, on Saturday. The loss left Ronaldo distraught as once again the Portuguese legend missed the chance to win a title with Al Nassr.

His last title in the club arena came way back in 2021 when he won the Coppa Italia for Juventus. Since then, he has not been able to lay his hands on any silverware with either Manchester United or Al Nassr, with whom he has been since 2023. To further compound his pain, the loss to Gamba Osaka was Ronaldo's fifth defeat in a final with Al Nassr.

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Ronaldo's wait refuses to end

Ronaldo's wait for his first piece of silverware since signing a big-money deal to join Al Nassr in 2023 was extended by the Japanese club, who withstood a second-half barrage by the Saudi side.

In front of 26,000 fans at the King Saud University Stadium, Al Nassr were hot favourites to become the first Saudi Arabian side to win the AFC Champions League Two, the second-tier Asian continental crown equivalent to UEFA's Europa League.

But it was Gamba who struck the only goal of the game, against the run of play, when forward Deniz Hummet latched onto Issam Jebali's through ball and buried his finish from the edge of the box after 29 minutes.

Earlier in the week, Ronaldo had been forced to wait longer for a first Saudi Pro League title when Al Nassr goalkeeper Bento conceded a bizarre injury-time own goal that gave second-placed Al Hilal a 1-1 draw.

A win would have secured a first Saudi domestic title for the Portuguese great who then endured more agony in Riyadh four days later.

Al Nassr are two points ahead of Al Hilal with one game to play and can seal the title at home to Damac on Thursday.

Al Hilal play their final match away to Al Fayha on the same night.

(With AFP inputs)