In the 72nd minute, with Al Nassr leading the visitors 1-0, Ronaldo earned a free kick after being fouled at an angle of approximately 15 degrees, to the left. While Brozovic and Joao Felix stood over the ball, planning the free kick, Ronaldo approached with the intention of taking it himself. However, Brozovic pointed into the penalty area, seemingly instructing the Al Nassr captain to enter the box and await a cross.

Simultaneously, coach Jorge Jesus continuously shouted from the touchline, directing his words at Ronaldo. He then also gestured towards the penalty area, signaling for Ronaldo to abandon his attempt to take the free kick. The Portuguese superstar eventually heeded his teammate and coach, moving into the penalty area. Despite this, Al Nassr's free kick did not result in any scoring opportunity.

Ronaldo took 7 shots in the match but failed to score. In the second minute, he hit the crossbar from a favorable position. The Al Nassr captain had a free-kick opportunity from over 30 m, directly in front of goal in the 15th minute, but the ball flew wide of the target.

Ronaldo has scored 64 free-kick goals in his career, ranking seventh all-time. However, his last direct free-kick goal was on 27/8/2024, when Al Nassr defeated Al Feiha 4-1 in the second round of last season's Saudi Pro League.

Ronaldo did not score in the match on the evening of 26/1, but Al Nassr still secured a 1-0 victory against Al Taawoun thanks to an own goal from center-back Mohammed Al Dossari. This win allows Al Nassr to continue pursuing Al Hilal in the championship race, trailing by four points.

Ronaldo has scored 16 goals in the Pro League this season, co-leading the top scorer race with Mexican striker Julian Quinones of Al Quadisiya Club. After the win against Al Taawoun, Ronaldo posted on social media: "One step at a time. Maximum focus on our goal."

In their next match, Al Nassr will play away against Al Kholood on the evening of 30/1, in round 18.

Hoang An compiled