Cristiano Ronaldo apologised after Al Nassr’s game with Al Wehda was delayed due to traffic, before the legendary forward scored and won a penalty in a 2-0 victory in the Saudi Pro League.
Ronaldo, who allowed teammate Sadio Mane to take the late penalty, was speaking after the match kicked off an hour late.
Al Nassr’s team coach did not arrive at the stadium until nine minutes after the scheduled kick-off, causing the delay.
Keep going! ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/L0cSEW75P0
— Cristiano Ronaldo (@Cristiano) February 25, 2025
“It was a tough game. The first half was difficult because we did a journey for three hours on the bus because of traffic and the roads were closed,” Ronaldo told SSC sports.
“I want to apologise on behalf of Al Nassr for starting the game late. This should not happen again. Sorry.
“We started not very well, but in the second half we were a little bit better. We fixed our issues and we scored two goals so we are happy.”
Ronaldo said the team’s focus is on both the league and the AFC Champions League Elite, where they face Esteghlal Tehran in the last 16 on Monday.
“Game-by-game, we have to build again the confidence,” he said.
“We have to do it again we have to win, win, win and let’s see what’s going to happen.”
Ronaldo leads the league’s scoring list with 17 goals this season, one ahead of Al Ittihad’s Karim Benzema.