Cristiano Ronaldo refuses runner-up medal and storms down tunnel after Al-Nassr’s AFC Champions League Two final defeat | OneFootball

Cristiano Ronaldo refused to collect a runner-up medal and headed down the tunnel after Al-Nassr lost the AFC Champions League Two final. According to Goal.com, the forward skipped the ceremony while team-mates stayed on the pitch.

At Al-Awwal Park, favourites Al-Nassr were undone by a 29th-minute finish from Deniz Hummet as Gamba Osaka won 1-0. The defeat ended their bid to become the first Saudi club to lift the trophy.

Ronaldo endured a frustrating night, with chances missed. At full-time he left his team-mates and did not return, while Jorge Jesus led the squad to receive silver medals.

Days earlier, Al-Nassr’s league charge stalled in a 1-1 draw with Al-Hilal after goalkeeper Bento let a throw-in slip through his hands in stoppage time. Ronaldo, substituted late, looked inconsolable on the bench.

That result delayed any title celebration and raised the stakes before the continental showpiece. Al-Hilal then beat Neom the same day, ensuring the Saudi Pro League race will go to the final round.

Jorge Jesus struck an upbeat tone afterwards, saying: "We have a second chance. We still have a game to be happy. If the fans are strong as today, for sure in the last game we will be happy and we will celebrate the title."

Al-Nassr sit two points clear of Al-Hilal at the top. Victory on the final day against Damac FC would end a seven-year wait for the league and soften the blow of this defeat.

Source: Goal.com