“It’s simple: I’m coming here to win, to play, to enjoy, to be part of the success of the country and the culture of the country,” Cristiano Ronaldo confidently declared back in 2023, after making a move hardly anyone expected him to make. Yet, even then, most believed it would be a triumphant one, right? After all, it’s CR7 — a player who has always embodied a winning mentality. But the harsh reality today is this: nearly three years since Ronaldo joined the Knights of Najd, he’s still in search of his first trophy!

Technically, the 40-year-old has lifted a title with Al Nassr, the club’s first-ever Arab Club Champions Cup. However, that tournament isn’t recognized by FIFA, making it an unofficial win for the Portuguese superstar, even though his top-scorer feat of scoring six goals in the tournament, including a brace in the final, was counted for helping him secure the 2023 world’s top goalscorer of the year.

Then again, the real point here is the string of disappointments Cristiano Ronaldo has endured over time. Believe it or not, he has suffered not one but three defeats in finals — the latest coming just last weekend in the 2025 Saudi Super Cup against Al-Ahli Saudi. Before that, he fell in the 2024 edition with a heavy 4-1 loss to Al Hilal and in the 2023-24 King’s Cup, where again Al Hilal edged Al Nassr 5-4 on penalties.

Speaking of the recent final defeat, the match was quite a close one. After Ronaldo’s 41-minute penalty gave the yellow and blue submarine a lead, Frank Kesssie scored an equaliser before half-time. In the second half, though Marcelo Brozovic’s goal again put Al Nassr ahead, Roger Ibanez’s 88th-minute equalizer spoiled the party again.

Skipping the extra-time shenanigans, the match went to a penalty shootout, where Al Nassr fell 3-5 after an unfortunate miss by midfielder Abdullah Al-Khaibari. In the end, Ronaldo and his teammates were once again forced to settle for silver, leaving his ardent fans reeling. Meanwhile, much of the soccer world is stunned to hear this: Finals 3, Cristiano Ronaldo 0.

Soccer world debates: ‘Finals 3, Cristiano Ronaldo 0’

Ardent fans expressing their disbelief on X over the fact that nothing but failure has followed the former Real Madrid superstar since his transfer to Al Nassr. Sure, on the individual side, he may be securing all the green flags, like having scored 100 goals for the Saudi giants in just a matter of two and a half years.

Then again, considering his time in the Middle East so far — and even factoring in his second stint at Manchester United, where he spent a couple of years — it may surprise you to learn that the last official domestic trophy he won was with Juventus in the 2020/21 season: the Copa Italia. No wonder this fan was bound to be surprised: “He hasn’t won a single official club trophy in last 5 years??”

Losing three crucial finals is one thing, but that doesn’t even account for how close Ronaldo has come to winning the league title with Al Nassr — twice, to be exact. While his domestic trophy cabinet has stayed dry, his international collection just got a boost with Portugal’s victory over Spain in the 2025 UEFA Nations League final. That explains why Ronaldo was so emotional — finally getting his hands on a trophy, whether with club or country, after such a long wait: “No wonder he cried after winning a friendly trophy with Portugal recently😭😭,” wrote one.

Talk about things backfiring. From the unshakable confidence he displayed at his first press conference as an Al Nassr player to now enduring a prolonged trophy drought, one has to wonder if the five-time Ballon d’Or winner is reminiscing about his glory days in Europe, when he was in mighty form and trophies came one after another. “This is unreal. The most clutch player in Europe can’t win anything in the Saudi league,” wrote another.

If there’s a discussion about Cristiano Ronaldo, the GOAT debate is never far behind. Enter Lionel Messi, who also chose an unconventional path by leaving Europe — but for MLS, signing with Inter Miami. Since joining the Herons, it’s been quite a ride for La Pulga — winning trophies and shattering records one after another. Before his arrival, Miami barely got a sniff of silverware. And now? Well, this fan summed it up perfectly:

“Just To Remember: Messi has won two titles with Inter Miami since joining in 2023, while breaking records; A club that has zero initially (before his debut). Two Finals, two MVPs.”

From scoring his first goal — on his debut, no less, with a direct free kick — to delivering silverware in under 10 games, Lionel Messi has been the best thing that’s ever happened to Inter Miami. And this fan didn’t hesitate to remind everyone: “It only took Messi 7 games to win a trophy with Inter Miami.”

Be that as it may, this is just a glimpse of the reaction, as hundreds of netizens voiced their disbelief over Cristiano Ronaldo’s trophyless run with Al Nassr. With the 2025 season set to kick off, one can only hope things turn around — because time is certainly running out for a man in his forties to prove that his move to Al Nassr has not been a failure.