Daei Questions Ronaldo's Endurance After Red Card in Riyadh Derby
13 January 2026
Riyadh Derby Recap
In the Riyadh showdown, Al Hilal defeated Al Nassr 3-1, extending their lead in the Saudi Pro League after the 15th round. The result left Ronaldo and his side behind as Hilal surged to the top of the table.
Daei's Take on Ronaldo's Red Card
Former Al Hilal goalkeeper Mohammed Al-Daei criticized Ronaldo for staying on the field after his sending-off, suggesting the coach should have substituted him to focus on counter-attacks.
Counter-attacks need pace, and Ronaldo is not at his peak anymore, according to Al-Daei, who noted several offside moments and a limited impact on the match.
He argued Ronaldo did not add value to Al Nassr and pointed to instances where he looked offside.
Al-Daei also targeted Nawaf Al-Aqidi, the Al Nassr goalkeeper, accusing him of conduct that contributed to the defeat. He stressed that with video technology, missteps do not go unseen.
The match saw Nawaf Al-Aqidi sent off in the 60th minute after a foul on Ruben Neves, prompting Jorge Jesus to replace Angelo with a second keeper.
Overall, the events raised questions about Al Nassr's strategy going forward in a league where every moment is under a lens.
Punchline time: Ronaldo still seems to sprint like a rumor in a quiet room—quick to start, slower to finish. And if that sounds harsh, remember: in football, timing is everything, especially when the camera is rolling.
Punchline 2: The only thing faster than Ronaldo’s dribbles today is the calendar turning to the next matchday—stats update quicker than his footprints on the pitch.
