Title hopes end for Sadio Mané and Cristiano Ronaldo as Al-Nassr stumble against Al-Ettifaq

Cristiano Ronaldo, Sadio Mané, and their Al-Nassr teammates saw their Saudi Pro League title ambitions fade after a frustrating 1-1 draw against Al-Ettifaq.

The result leaves the Riyadh-based club with little chance of catching league leaders Al-Hilal, marking a significant setback in their campaign.

A crushing blow in Riyadh

Al-Nassr entered the match knowing that only a victory would keep their slim hopes of a title challenge alive.

However, despite their efforts, they were unable to secure the three points needed to apply pressure at the top of the table.

The game remained goalless in a tense first half, with both sides struggling to create clear-cut chances.

Shortly after the break, Al-Nassr found a breakthrough when Ayman Yahya capitalised on an opportunity to give his side the lead.

The relief was short-lived, as Al-Ettifaq quickly responded through Dutch midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum, whose precise finish levelled the score in the 55th minute.

Title race all but over

The draw leaves Al-Nassr trailing significantly behind Al-Hilal in the standings, making it highly unlikely they will be able to close the gap in the remaining matches.

Despite boasting a squad filled with top talents, including Ronaldo and Mané, the club has struggled to maintain consistency in key moments.

For Ronaldo, who has been a key figure in Al-Nassr’s attack this season, and Mané, who joined in the summer to bolster the squad, the result is a bitter disappointment.

The team now faces the reality of falling short in the title race, with Al-Hilal in pole position to claim the championship.

Focus shifts to other objectives

With the Saudi Pro League title seemingly out of reach, Al-Nassr will now have to shift their focus to other competitions.

The club remains in contention for domestic and continental honours, and ensuring a strong finish to the season will be crucial for both the team and its star players.

Cristiano Ronaldo n’a pas su cacher sa colère après l’exclusion de son tout récent coéquipier Jhon Duran ????

Carton rouge et énervement justifié selon vous ?#ronaldo #alnassr #cr7 pic.twitter.com/IkQXQuynH7

— CANAL+ Foot (@CanalplusFoot) February 21, 2025

As the dust settles on this result, Al-Nassr must regroup and find a way to end the campaign on a high, even if the title is now beyond their grasp.