Cup Shock, Apology, and Comeback Goals: Al-Nassr’s Cup Exit Sparks a Wake-Up Call

What happened: Cup exit and a painful night for a Saudi giant

Al-Nassr were eliminated by Al-Ittihad in the King’s Cup last-16, ending the club’s bid for a second trophy this season and triggering a wave of anger inside the club and among supporters after a difficult night’s work.

Following a mixed Clasico display, Al-Nassr fell to Al-Ittihad and exited early, despite leading the Saudi Pro League and showing quality in recent weeks.

In a rare public move, Khalid Walid Al-Malik, the deputy president, apologized to the club’s fans on X, acknowledging the anger sweeping the corridors and stressing the team’s ambition. He insisted that one defeat cannot diminish the club’s value and that upcoming commitments remain the priority.

“Thank God for everything,” he wrote. “I apologize to our fans, who have always supported us in good times and bad. We understand your drive to win every trophy, but a single loss does not define us.”

He added: “We have upcoming commitments, and you are the best behind Al-Nassr at this moment.”

Meanwhile, manager Jorge Jesus admitted the defeat hurts but maintained that the league remains the main objective and that the setback does not reflect a tactical collapse. He noted that Marcelo Brozović was not fully fit and cited a string of injuries complicating selection.

Mohamed Simakan’s injury worsened the problem: the French defender suffered a hamstring issue during the match with Al-Ittihad and will undergo a MRI in Riyadh to assess the extent of the layoff. He joins a growing list that already includes Saad Al-Nasser, Abdul Malik Al-Jaber, and youngster Saad Hakwi, all currently in rehabilitation at the club’s clinic.

Simakan, who joined from RB Leipzig in 2024 for around €35 million, has made 51 appearances for Al-Nassr, scoring three goals and providing two assists, becoming a mainstay in Jesus’s defense.

JESUS: “The King’s Cup exit is painful, but we are strong.” He also explained that Brozović has not trained fully with the team recently, and that the squad will push to balance domestic and continental duties.

The coach reiterated that the league remains the top target and that the cup was a secondary objective this season; the loss does not undermine the team’s potential or the faith of the fans. Management and staff remain aligned on a path forward, focusing on readiness for the remainder of the campaign.

Caption: Al-Nassr’s season-tested resilience is under pressure as injuries mount and cups slip away.

And for a pinch of levity to cope with the tension: Punchline 1 — If injuries were a sport, Al-Nassr would be the Olympic champions of the bench. Punchline 2 — The only thing faster than their counter-attack is the medical report hitting the desk.