Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr were on the receiving end of a 5-0 thumping in his first pre-season friendly this summer, as they lost to Celta Vigo on Monday night.
Ronaldo played 45 minutes of the match, which saw Marcelo Brozovic make his debut for the Saudi Pro League side. The first half was a goalless draw, but it all fell apart when Celta Vigo opened the floodgates after the break in Faro.
Gael Alonso got the opener just before the hour mark, before Miguel Rodriguez and Jorgen Strand Larsen both nabbed braces to ensure it was a five-goal thrashing without reply.
Brozovic played 54 minutes of the match following his big move from Inter Milan, but was withdrawn from the pitch before the onslaught from the Spanish side.
Meanwhile, the Portugal captain missed a great opportunity to give his team the lead during the first-half – and it ended up costing Al-Nassr dearly.
Al-Nassr were left humiliated by a 5-0 friendly defeat against Celta Vigo on Monday – with Cristiano Ronaldo played 45 minutes
Marcelo Brozovic made his club debut in the heavy defeat to LaLiga side, while Ronaldo missed a good chance to score
Miguel Rodriguez and Jorgen Strand Larsen both nabbed braces to ensure it was a five-goal thrashing without reply.
Al-Nassr coach Luis Castro now has to prepare his side for forthcoming friendlies against Benfica, PSG and Inter Milan.
They will be difficult opponents to face, as they are all teams with significant Champions League pedigree.
Celta Vigo, who finished 13th in LaLiga last season, may have been viewed as a simpler task – but they were ultimately left humiliated.
Pre-season friendlies are an opportunity for teams to consider where they need to strengthen before the serious games begin, and to assess whether new blood can be injected into the team to improve performances and scorelines.
However, they will have to make do with the players that they have for the forthcoming Saudi Pro League season, as FIFA has banned Al-Nassr from registering new players due to an ongoing dispute with Leicester City.
