NEW DELHI: Al-Hilal emerged victorious with a resounding 3-0 win against Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr in a heated Riyadh Derby at the King Fahd International Stadium. The match, marked by lively chants of "Messi, Messi, Messi!" from the jubilant Al-Hilal fans, showcased the dominance of the Saudi Pro League team over their bitter rivals.
Despite finishing on the losing side, Ronaldo, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner, remained the centre of attention. Aleksandar Mitrovic's brace, accompanied by Sergej Milinkovic-Savic's goal, secured Al-Hilal's triumph.
The Riyadh Derby, the last game at the King Fahd International Stadium before its renovation for the 2027 Asian Cup and anticipated 2034 World Cup, drew thousands of fans. Ronaldo, the focus of attention, faced taunts from opposition supporters but continued to captivate the audience, even among rival fans.
Ronaldo's impact on Saudi football has been profound since his move to Al-Nassr in December last year. His presence has elevated the overall footballing experience in the country, with fans acknowledging his contributions to Al-Nassr's performance, despite their allegiance to rival clubs.
"He has lifted the level of the whole of football here," remarked a Riyadh resident, emphasising Ronaldo's influence on the sport in Saudi Arabia.
In the league season's previous 14 games, Ronaldo had netted an impressive 15 goals, propelling Al-Nassr to the second position in the league. The Portuguese star's teammates, including Sadio Mane, Marcelo Brozovic, and Alex Telles, have further strengthened the squad.
Al-Nassr coach Luis Castro praised Ronaldo, stating, "He is an example of rigour, ambition, and discipline. Lots of people want to be like Cristiano Ronaldo but few want to work like Cristiano Ronaldo."
Despite Ronaldo's efforts in the derby, including a disallowed goal and claims of fouls, Al-Nassr fell short. The defeat leaves them seven points behind league leaders Al-Hilal after 15 rounds.
In a surprising turn of events, news emerged from the U.S. that Ronaldo faces a class-action lawsuit seeking at least $1 billion in damages for his role in promoting cryptocurrency-related "non-fungible tokens" (NFTs) issued by the cryptocurrency exchange Binance. The legal development added a sombre note to Ronaldo's day amidst the football action.
(With inputs from AP)
