Cristiano Ronaldo issues rallying cry to Al Nassr after angry reaction in Al Ittihad loss

Cristiano Ronaldo has sent a message to Al Nassr supporters following the club’s top-of-the-table defeat to Al Ittihad – a result which caused the forward to lash out angrily at water bottles as he departed the pitch.

Nassr, chasing a first Saudi Pro league title in four years, went into the clash in Jeddah at the standings summit, but were beaten 1-0 by their closest challengers at a vociferous King Abdullah Sports City. Romarinho, the former Al Jazira striker, struck the game’s only goal 10 minutes from time.

The defeat, Ronaldo’s first in the league since joining in late December and Nassr's first in 18 top-flight matches, meant the Riyadh side slipped to second, one point behind Ittihad with 10 rounds remaining.

Having scored eight times last month, Ronaldo failed to register for the second successive match, although he did force a fine save from Ittihad goalkeeper Marcelo Grohe at the death.

However, Ronaldo struggled to make any real impact on the match, and was visibly upset at full-time. Some of his Nassr teammates attempted to calm down the Portugal captain, but he was caught on camera booting several water bottles at the side of the pitch as he headed for the tunnel.

Ronaldo, 38, later tweeted: “Disappointed with the result, but we stay focused on our season and the games ahead. Thank you Al Nassr fans for your support, we know we can count on you!”

Disappointed with the result, but we stay focused on our season and the games ahead.