GUTTED Cristiano Ronaldo was taken off as Al-Nassr’s title dream ended.
Al-Nassr’s 1-1 draw with Al Ettifaq enabled Al-Ittihad to win the Saudi Pro League with a game to spare, thanks to their 3-0 victory at Al Feiha.
AFPCristiano Ronaldo and keeper Waleed Abdullah protest in vain during a draw that ended Al-Nassr’s hopes of winning the Saudi Pro League[/caption]
AFPAl-Nassr were top when they signed Ronaldo but they will finish second[/caption]
Frustrated Ronaldo remonstrated with officials as he failed to add to his 14 goals in 16 league games.
The Portugal legend, 38, is the fifth-highest scorer in the Saudi top flight despite only signing in January.
But Al-Nassr were top when he arrived following his abrupt departure from Manchester United over a brutal interview with Piers Morgan.
Ron’s side were up against it on Saturday from the moment Youssoufou Niakate put Al Ettifaq in front just before half-time.
Luiz Gustavo levelled after the break but Al-Nassr couldn’t find a winner.
And five-time Ballon d’Or winner Ron was substituted six minutes from time.
Saturday’s results leave Al-Ittihad an unassailable five points clear before the final round of games on Wednesday.
Yet three days earlier Ronaldo had been at his vintage best with a glorious winner in a 3-2 comeback triumph over third-placed Al-Shabab.
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The 198-cap icon has maintained his daunting fitness and health regime since leaving Europe for the first time in mid-season.
But he’s on a three-year run without major club honours.
Ron won the Champions League four times with Real Madrid and once for United.
But the last of his seven domestic titles came when Juventus took the Serie A crown in 2019-2020.