- Cristiano Ronaldo, despite his legendary career, has failed to secure some major trophies, including the World Cup and the AFC Champions League
- In Saudi Arabia, Ronaldo's Al-Nassr has struggled to dominate domestically, trailing behind rivals like Al-Hilal in key competitions
- While Ronaldo continues to break records and score goals, elusive trophies like the King’s Cup and Saudi Pro League reflect the challenges of his recent move
Cristiano Ronaldo, one of football’s greatest icons, boasts a glittering career filled with 33 major trophies. From seven league titles to five Champions League victories and a European Championship, his silverware cabinet is unmatched by most. Yet, even for a player of his calibre, there are a handful of trophies that have slipped through his grasp.
Despite his unmatched drive and skill, Ronaldo has faced moments of heartbreak across club and international competitions.
Below is a closer look at the elusive trophies that CR7 has yet to win.
7 trophies Ronaldo failed to win despite participation
TheRadar has compiled below 7 trophies that have slipped off the hands of Portuguese star Ronaldo so far:
Saudi Pro League
Ronaldo’s move to Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia brought immense attention to the Saudi Pro League, and while he has been prolific, his team hasn’t clinched the ultimate prize. The Portuguese legend has scored an astounding 58 goals in just 58 matches, yet Al-Nassr has been outpaced by rivals.
In his debut season, Al-Ittihad triumphed as league champions, and the following season saw Al-Hilal claim the title with a staggering 96 points. Currently, Al-Nassr lags six points behind league leaders Al-Hilal after 10 matches, leaving Ronaldo and his teammates with an uphill battle to secure the league trophy.
King’s Cup
The King’s Cup has also been a thorn in Ronaldo’s flesh. The closest he came to lifting the trophy was during his first season in Saudi Arabia, where Al-Nassr reached the final against Al-Hilal. Despite Ronaldo converting his penalty in a dramatic shootout, Al-Nassr fell short, losing 5-4.
This defeat was a rare moment of frustration for Ronaldo, who is no stranger to success in knockout competitions.
Saudi Super Cup
Ronaldo’s misfortune extended to the Saudi Super Cup, where he scored in this season’s final only to witness his side crumble against Al-Hilal. Despite taking an early lead, Al-Nassr suffered a 4-1 defeat as Jorge Jesus’ team dominated the match.
AFC Champions League Elite
Ronaldo’s dominance in the UEFA Champions League is legendary, but his impact in the Asian equivalent, the AFC Champions League Elite, is still developing. In his first attempt, Al-Nassr crashed out in the quarter-finals, losing to UAE’s Al Ain in a penalty shootout.
Ronaldo, true to form, converted his penalty, but three of his teammates missed their spot-kicks, sealing the team’s exit. With more opportunities to come, Ronaldo will be eager to add this trophy to his collection.
Europa League
Ronaldo’s brief stint in the Europa League came during the 2022-23 season with Manchester United. He contributed four goal involvements in six matches, but by the time the knockout rounds arrived, he had already departed for Al-Nassr.
This was also a rare miss for the Portuguese superstar in Europe’s secondary competition, leaving another trophy unchecked on his list.
World Cup
Arguably the biggest omission from Ronaldo’s storied career, the FIFA World Cup remains elusive. Despite his incredible performances for Portugal, the team has never managed to secure the sport’s grandest prize.
While Ronaldo publicly downplayed the importance of the World Cup, comparing his Euros victory to winning the global title, the 2022 triumph of Lionel Messi’s Argentina may have rekindled his desire for one last attempt.
At 41, Ronaldo may still feature in the 2026 tournament for a final shot at glory.
Confederations Cup
The now-defunct Confederations Cup also evaded Ronaldo’s grasp. Following Portugal’s 2016 Euros victory, the team competed in the 2017 edition of the tournament. Despite topping their group, Portugal fell to Chile in the semi-finals in a penalty shootout, ending their hopes of adding the trophy to their cabinet.
Ronaldo to Europe? Mourinho plans to bring back Cristiano to stop Osimhen’s dominance in Turkey
Previously, TheRadar reported that Cristiano Ronaldo, one of football’s most celebrated icons, is reportedly being courted by José Mourinho for a news breaking reunion at Fenerbahçe.
According to Turkish outlet Fotomac, Mourinho, who currently manages the Turkish giants, has been in contact with Ronaldo to weigh the possibility of bringing the five-time Ballon d’Or winner back to European football.
