Cristiano Ronaldo, what are you doing? A massive mistake from the 11-meter mark

Disappointment for Cristiano Ronaldo during the Saudi league match between Al-Nassr and Neom SC. In the first half, the Riyadh-based team—which, in addition to CR7, boasts stars like João Félix and Mané—dominated the game but created few chances to take the lead.

The best chance was squandered by Ronaldo himself, who is on track to reach 1,000 career goals (he’s 19 goals away). In the 48th minute, Al Nassr was awarded a penalty kick after Al Burayk fouled a home team forward: CR7 stepped up to take the kick as usual, but he missed badly, sending the ball wide.

The team coached by Ange Postecoglou is third in the standings, behind Al Hilal and Al-Qadisiyya, and has several games to make up due to recent tensions in the capital, Riyadh. Christophe Galtier’s Neom SC, captained by veteran French striker Alexandre Lacazette, heads into the match finally able to count on its entire roster following injuries in recent weeks.

The atmosphere in Riyadh has been tense in recent weeks. On October 8, a new attack by Houthi rebels on the capital’s international airport—the third in just a few days—sparked moments of panic and cast doubt on the resumption of the Saudi Pro League. On that occasion, security measures around the sports delegations were significantly stepped up.

For CR7, it’s also been a turbulent period with the national team. The Portuguese Football Federation’s Disciplinary Council sanctioned him with a 30-day suspension and a fine of 255 euros for leaving the training camp without authorization prior to the Nations League match against Denmark on October 1. The amount sparked sarcasm from fans on social media, given Ronaldo’s net worth, estimated by Forbes at over one billion euros.