Cristiano Ronaldo and Al Nassr playing for 'shameless' trophy that ...

8 Aug 2023

It turns out there are other ways to get one's hands on the World Cup trophy other than winning the tournament itself.

Cristiano Ronaldo Al-Nassr - Figure 1
Photo Daily Star

And Cristiano Ronaldo could be the beneficiary after he and Al-Nassr reached the penultimate stage of this season's Arab Club Champions Cup. The tournament is contested by a collection of elite outfits from the Arab world, with teams hailing from Asia and Africa taking part every year.

The five-time Ballon d'Or-winner's move to the Saudi Pro League has shone a new light on all manner of Arab matters. And many of those cottoning onto the competition's existence couldn't help but notice a familiar-looking gong was up for grabs in the Champions Cup.

That's largely due to the fact the trophy itself looks like a direct knock-off of the actual World Cup trophy handed out once every four years. A solid gold structure with a narrow base holding aloft what appears to be a globe, one would be forgiven thinking the design is identical to the most prestigious prize in football.

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And fans appeared to be convinced organisers knew exactly how much it resembled the World Cup crown, such are the similarities between the Arab Club Champions Cup and its lookalike.

Cristiano Ronaldo Al-Nassr - Figure 2
Photo Daily Star

"Bro thinks he's winning world cup trophy," commented one fan in response to a tweet showing Ronaldo's path to victory.

"Look at the trophy," remarked another alongside a string of sobbing emojis.

WIll you be tuning into the Saudi Pro League this season? Let us know in the comments section below.

Ronaldo is set for his first full season in Saudi Arabia (Image: Getty Images)

The Portuguese icon joined Al-Nassr in January 2023 (Image: AFP via Getty Images)

Ronaldo, 38, will face Iraqi outfit Al-Shorta on Wednesday in the semi-finals of this season's competition. A win there will earn Al-Nassr a spot in Saturday's finale, where they're guaranteed to meet a fellow Saudi side if they manager to advance.

The veteran was recently on the scoresheet at Al-Nassr beat Moroccan giants Raja Casablanca 3-1 to advance from the last eight.

Al-Hilal and Al-Shabab will contest the other semi-final on Wednesday and will guarantee at least one Saudi club makes it to the last hurdle. And a first all-Saudi showdown since 1994 could be a sign of the nation's newfound dominance in the Arab sector.

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Al-Nassr have never made it to the final of the Arab Club Champions Cup, never mind winning the whole thing. Compatriots Al-Hilal and Al-Shabab are the joint-most successful Saudi sides to have competed and boast two titles apiece, though only one of those can progress to the decider this year.

Ronaldo appears to have played his last World Cup after losing to Morocco in Qatar's quarter-finals last year. However, that doesn't have to mean he never lifts the trophy itself - or close enough.

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