In Al Nassr’s match against Al Ettifaq, he watched his team collapse to 0-2 down after goalkeeper Bento was sent off in the 12th minute. The 18-year-old Abdulrahman Al-Otaibi came on in an emergency and conceded two goals before halftime.
Cristiano couldn’t take it anymore: he gestured, berated his teammates after every goal conceded, and headed straight to the locker room, furious with the stands as well.
Ange Postecoglou made a painful decision: he left him on the bench for the second half. And there, without their captain and with one man down, Al Nassr transformed.
Sadio Mané scored two goals at 74′ and 90’, Abdulelah Al-Amri scored the equalizer in the 77′, and João Félix provided two assists. Al Nassr won 3-2.
Cristiano did not even appear in the celebrations.