Ronaldo reacts to Al-Nassr’s chaotic match delay – “This should not happen!”  

Ronaldo reacts to Al-Nassr’s chaotic match delay – “This should not happen!”  

Cristiano Ronaldo apologised after Al-Nassr’s game with Al-Wehda was delayed due to traffic before the forward scored and won a penalty in a 2-0 victory in the Saudi Pro League on Tuesday.

Ronaldo, who allowed teammate Sadio Mane to take the penalty, led Al-Nassr to the win after the team bus arrived nine minutes after the scheduled kick-off, causing a one-hour delay.

“It was a tough game. The first half was difficult because we did a journey of three hours on the bus because of traffic and the roads were closed,” Ronaldo told SSC Sports.

“I want to apologise on behalf of Al-Nassr for starting the game late. This should not happen again. Sorry,” the 40-year-old Portugal international added.

“We started not very good, but in the second half, we were a little bit better. We fixed our issues and we scored two goals so we are happy.”

Ronaldo praised his teammates as they bounced back following a loss to Al-Ettifaq.

“(The comeback) should be like that. This is Al-Nassr we have to react … We have to continue to win, and let’s see what’s going to happen.”

Ronaldo said the team’s focus is on both the SPL and AFC Champions League Elite, where it faces Esteghlal Tehran in the last 16 on Monday.

“Game-by-game, we have to build again the confidence … We have to do it again, we have to win, win, win and let’s see what’s going to happen”.

Ronaldo leads the SPL’s scoring list with 17 goals this season, one ahead of Al-Ittihad’s Karim Benzema. 

Published on Feb 26, 2025