Cristiano Ronaldo will have to wait for the first silverware with his new club after Al Nassr were knocked out of the Saudi Super Cup with a 3-1 semi-final loss to Al Ittihad in Riyadh.

The 37-year-old Portugal international, a five-time Ballon d’Or winner, was well shackled by the Al Ittihad defence for much of Thursday’s match and cut a frustrated figure.

First-half goals from Romarinho and Abderrazak Hamdallah put Al Ittihad in control, and though Anderson Talisca hit back for Al Nassr in the 67th minute, Muhannad Al-Shanqeeti made sure of the result three minutes into stoppage time.

Al Ittihad will face Al Feiha in Sunday’s cup final.

Ronaldo became the highest-paid player in football history on December 30, signing a two-and-a-half-year contract that will see him earn £173million ($210m) a year.

The former Manchester United forward netted twice on his debut in Saudi Arabia for an All Stars game against PSG, which pitted him against long-time rival Lionel Messi, but he has yet to find the target for his new club side.

Al Nassr, who next travel to Al Fateh on February 3, are currently top of the Saudi Pro League, which concludes in May.

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