On October 29, 2025, the Saudi King’s Cup Round of 16 featured a highly anticipated matchup: Al Nassr hosting Al Ittihad.
Two Ballon d’Or winners and former Real Madrid teammates, Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema, went head-to-head once again, drawing global attention.
Benzema Strikes First, Angelo Levels the Score
In the first half, Diaby provided a precise assist that allowed Benzema to calmly slot the ball home, giving Al Ittihad the lead.
In the 30th minute, Al Nassr responded quickly , Ronaldo’s cross from the left was partially cleared, and Angelo followed up with a powerful strike to make it 1–1.
Aouar’s Decisive Goal Seals Al Nassr’s Elimination
Just after the break, in the 46th minute, Mitay delivered a sharp through-ball from the left, and Aouar broke through to score with a composed finish, restoring Al Ittihad’s lead.
Despite Al Nassr’s relentless attacks afterwards, the scoreline remained unchanged, ending 2–1 in favour of Al Ittihad and sending Al Nassr out of the competition.
When the final whistle blew, Benzema celebrated with a smile, while Ronaldo looked visibly frustrated, for the fiercely competitive Portuguese star, defeat and elimination are hard to swallow.
Four Years Without a Trophy: Ronaldo’s Saudi Struggles Continue
This Round of 16 exit means that 40-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo still has no titles in Saudi Arabia. Over the past four years, he has not lifted a single club trophy. His last championship victory was in 2021, when he won the Coppa Italia with Juventus.
According to Saudi outlet Alyaum, Ronaldo appeared visibly upset after the match. Following a brief exchange with teammates and staff, he headed straight to the locker room, clearly disappointed by Al Nassr’s elimination.
Ronaldo’s Post-Match Message
Remarkably, this marks the 13th time Ronaldo has failed to win a title since joining Saudi football. Yet he remains resilient.
After the match, he took to social media to encourage his teammates, writing: “Let’s stand tall, learn from our mistakes, and keep moving forward!”
King’s Cup Quarterfinal Line-Up Revealed
With this defeat, Ronaldo’s dream of a “treble” this season has come to an end. Al Nassr’s 11-match winning streak since the start of the season was also snapped, casting a shadow over their campaign.
The Saudi King’s Cup quarterfinal line-up is now complete: Al Ittihad, Al Qadisiyah Khobar, Al Fateh, Ras Al-Abadi, Al-Saihati Gulf, Al Shabab Riyadh, Al Hilal Riyadh, and Al Ahli Jeddah have all advanced and will continue their quest for the crown.
