Janice R. Andrews
Cristiano Ronaldo stands as one of football’s greatest players, with an impressive collection of 33 major trophies including multiple league titles, Champions League victories, and European Championship success. However, even for a player of his caliber, certain championships remain beyond his grasp.
Current Pursuits in Saudi Arabia:
- The Saudi Pro League title continues to escape Ronaldo since joining Al-Nassr in 2023, despite his remarkable scoring record of 55 goals in 56 games. Al-Ittihad claimed the title in his first season, while Al-Hilal dominates the current campaign.
- The King’s Cup nearly came within reach in 2023, but Al-Nassr lost to Al-Hilal in a penalty shootout despite Ronaldo converting his attempt.
- The Saudi Super Cup also proved elusive when Al-Hilal defeated Al-Nassr 4-1 in the 2023 final, even though Ronaldo managed to score.
Continental Challenges:
- In the AFC Champions League Elite, Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr reached the quarter-finals but fell to Al Ain on penalties.
- The UEFA Europa League remains unclaimed, as Ronaldo’s only experience came with Manchester United in 2022-23 before his mid-season departure.
International Missing Pieces:
- The FIFA World Cup, perhaps the most notable absence from his collection, has seen Ronaldo come closest in 2006 with Portugal’s fourth-place finish.
- The FIFA Confederations Cup also eluded him when Portugal lost to Chile in the 2017 semi-finals.
Early Career Gaps:
- During his time at Sporting CP, Ronaldo couldn’t secure the Primeira Liga title, finishing third in his only full season.
- The Taca de Portugal also remained out of reach when Sporting suffered a surprise quarter-final exit to Associacao Naval.
Despite these missing accolades, Ronaldo’s status as one of football’s greatest players remains undisputed. At the age of 39, he continues to pursue new achievements, with some speculating about a possible final World Cup appearance in 2026.
Each unclaimed trophy serves as a reminder that even the most decorated athletes can’t win everything, though this hardly diminishes Ronaldo’s extraordinary career achievements and lasting impact on football.
