Cristiano Ronaldo is becoming a laughing stock, his powers have gone and retiring would be wise

But Al-Hilal came roaring back to destroy Al-Nassr and claim the first trophy of the new season. Ronaldo, a notoriously bad loser due to his high standards, couldn't believe it.

He ripped into his team-mates and looked to the heavens, held his head in his hands and accused them of 'sleeping'. Ronaldo had a point, of course, but it was hardly a good look for a player considered to be one of the greatest of all time.

Ronaldo no longer plays at the highest level when it comes to club football. There is a reason he is in Saudi, rather than Europe. Yes, they pay him millions, a salary unmatched by any other. But that's because nobody else will due to the fact they won't get bang for their buck.

When he joined Al-Nassr, it was meant to be the start of a successful era. They had won the Saudi Pro League before his arrival and his transfer was meant to consolidate success and almost guarantee it.

Things haven't worked out that way, however. He won the Super Cup last year but it is Al-Hilal who are Saudi's most dominant force, rather than their rivals.

As they imploded on Saturday, clips and images of Ronaldo did the rounds on social media. Many were scathing and critical towards the 39-year-old, with some urging him to call it a day.

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There is no denying that he is a phenomenon, a man who has transcended football to write his name above the stars.

There is no denying that, during his peak years, he sometimes outshone Lionel Messi. Five Champions League titles to his nemesis' three speaks volumes.

But there's also no denying that Ronaldo is now a man past his best and whose decline seems to be dragging others down with him.

He is becoming a laughing stock. All those who were hurt by his goals earlier in his career are now happy to clip him up and turn him into a meme. The online mob is always ruthless and all the success he's enjoyed his career is starting to become forgotten.

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The 2024 version of Ronaldo is a sad sight. While he continues to score goals, he is a man raging against the clock and unable to accept the inevitable.

Take the recent European Championships, for example.

Portugal were among the favourites to claim the trophy. They are no longer reliant on Ronaldo, possessing other top stars such as Bernardo Silva, Rafael Leao and Bruno Fernandes.

Yet Ronaldo was still trusted to lead the line in every single match he played in, despite being so far off the pace it was almost difficult to watch.

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He cried as he missed a penalty in a narrow win over Slovakia. His decline hurts him, even if he can't accept it.

Ronaldo was flat and anonymous throughout most of his time on the field and Portugal paid the price as they lost to France on penalties in the quarter-finals of the competition.

Obviously, there are appeals to keeping playing. Ronaldo loves the game so much that he can't let it go, even if more fractures in the relationship are appearing with each passing match.

Yet it would now be wise to bring the curtain down. Al-Hilal will likely win the Saudi Pro League, just like they did last season. A fairytale ending looks increasingly unlikely as a result.

Ronaldo wants to play for Portugal at the next World Cup. It's terrifying to think how past it he might be by the time that rolls around.

His powers are gone and everybody, besides himself, seems to know it.

He has achieved more than any other but continuing to play will only dent his legacy, rather than enhance it.