In a striking display of leadership, 40-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo was seen actively directing his teammates from the sidelines after being taken off during Al Nassr’s 3-2 victory over Al Ahli in the 20th round of the Pro League.
Ronaldo Directs His Teammates After Being Subbed
In a dramatic round 20 Pro League match, 40-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo was seen continuously directing his teammates from the sidelines after being substituted midway through Al Nassr’s 3-2 victory over home side Al Ahli.
In the 76th minute, with Al Nassr leading 1-0 and reduced to ten men following French center-back Mohamed Simakan’s straight red card, Ronaldo was taken off in favor of defender Mohammed Al Fatil. Instead of retreating to the technical area, the Portuguese superstar remained near the touchline, vocally communicating with his teammates.
Although Al Ahli equalized in the 78th minute, Al Nassr soon restored their lead with two quick goals from Ayman Yahya and Jhon Duran, making it 3-1. As his teammates celebrated Yahya’s goal, Ronaldo was captured on camera instructing Duran on something—a display that continued as he remained on the pitch for nearly the final 20 minutes of the game.
Arab media praised Ronaldo’s actions, noting that they showcased “the passion and leadership of the Portuguese superstar.” Kooora commented, “It’s fascinating to see Ronaldo standing near the touchline, directing players and essentially performing the role of a coach alongside head coach Stefano Pioli. Earlier, he accepted being subbed off in a man-down situation to help the team, but he still celebrated every goal with enthusiasm and displayed his leadership.”
Ronaldo’s behavior on the field recalled his actions during the Euro 2016 final in Paris. Despite being injured and forced off in the 25th minute—making way for Ricardo Quaresma—with his left knee bandaged and limping, he continued to direct his teammates from the sidelines. In the end, Portugal triumphed 1-0 over France, thanks to a goal from striker Éder in extra time.
The match on February 13 marked the first time Ronaldo was substituted early for reasons other than injury while still yet to score for Al Nassr. Reports suggest that coach Pioli consulted the team captain before making the decision. The 40-year-old willingly accepted the substitution to allow the team to bolster its defense, leaving only 21-year-old Jhon Duran as the forward option on the pitch. After the game, Duran expressed his gratitude, stating, “Ronaldo makes everything simpler for us and is always ready to help the team.”
Following the match, Ronaldo also called his teammates over to the Al Nassr supporters’ section to raise his hands in a gesture of thanks to the fans. He later shared celebratory photos on social media with the caption, “Until the very end.”
Although he was subbed off earlier than usual, it is likely that Ronaldo will miss the next match when Al Nassr travel to Persepolis in Iran for the final group stage game of the AFC Champions League. With Al Nassr’s place in the next round already secured, coach Pioli intends to give Ronaldo extra rest ahead of the upcoming Pro League match against Al-Ettifaq on the evening of February 21.
Despite Al Ahli leveling the score at the 78th minute, Al Nassr quickly responded with two goals from Ayman Yahya and Jhon Duran to secure a 3-1 win. Amid the celebrations following Yahya’s goal, Ronaldo was captured on camera giving directions to Duran—a scene that highlighted his enduring influence and commitment to the team. For roughly the final 20 minutes of the match, Ronaldo’s presence on the field served as an extra pair of eyes and an extension of the coaching staff.
Arab media praised his actions, noting they underscored “the passion and leadership of the Portuguese superstar.” One report from Kooora remarked, “It’s fascinating to see Ronaldo by the sideline, instructing players and essentially acting as a coach alongside Stefano Pioli. Earlier, he accepted being substituted to help the team cope with numerical disadvantage, yet he still celebrated with fervor and continued to lead.”
Ronaldo’s behavior recalled his memorable performance during Euro 2016 in Paris. Despite suffering an injury that forced him off the pitch in the 25th minute—leaving him with a bandaged left knee and a limping leg—he persisted in rallying his teammates, a move that contributed to Portugal’s narrow 1-0 victory over France in extra time, thanks to Eder’s decisive goal.
This match marked the first time Ronaldo was substituted while in the Al Nassr kit for reasons other than injury, and notably, he did not score. Reports suggest that coach Pioli consulted with the captain before deciding to take him off, as Ronaldo willingly stepped aside to bolster the team’s defensive efforts, leaving only 21-year-old forward Jhon Duran in the attack. After the game, Duran expressed his gratitude, acknowledging that Ronaldo “made everything simple and was always ready to help the team.”
Following the match, Ronaldo even gathered his teammates in the Al Nassr supporters’ section to lead a round of applause, thanking the fans for their unwavering support. He later shared a celebratory photo on social media with the caption, “Until the final moment.”
Although he was substituted earlier than usual, it’s unlikely that Ronaldo will feature in the next match. With Al Nassr set to face Persepolis in Iran for the final group-stage clash of the AFC Champions League—and having already secured their advancement—coach Pioli is saving Ronaldo’s energy for the upcoming Saudi Pro League match against Al-Ettifaq on February 21.