Cristiano Ronaldo scored his first goal for Al-Nassr in injury time on Friday, helping his team earn a 2-2 tie against Al Fateh. Fans of the club, on the other hand, did not get to see the Portuguese football legend’s iconic celebration, as the 37-year-old chose to take the ball and swiftly go to the center circle to resume the game in the hopes of a victory.
Cristian Tello, a former Barcelona player, put Al Fateh ahead in the 12th minute before Talisca equalized for Al-Nassr in the 42nd minute. Al Fateh seized the lead again in the 58th minute through Sofiane Bendebka, but Ronaldo’s last-gasp penalty enabled Al-Nassr to salvage something from the game.
Ronaldo signed a two-and-a-half-year contract with Al Nassr in December, reportedly valued at more than 200 million Euros, and was named captain shortly after his arrival. After 15 games, Al Nassr now leads the standings, level on 34 points with second-placed Al Shabab but with a game in hand. On Thursday, they will fly to Al Wedha.
Earlier in the Saudi Super Cup, Al Nassr was defeated 3-1 by Al Ittihad. He made his Al-Nassr debut earlier this month in a 1-0 win over Ettifaq in the Saudi Pro League at the King Saud University Stadium. Ronaldo’s departure to Saudi Arabia startled the globe, and it occurred after a squabble with his previous club, Manchester United, over his limited playing time. The Portuguese captain’s contract with Manchester United was terminated following a contentious interview with presenter Piers Morgan in which he criticized the club’s management and manager Erik ten Hag.
After spending 12 years at Madrid and Turin, the attacker returned to Old Trafford for a second stint during the summer transfer window in 2021. When he returned, he finished the season with 24 goals in all competitions, including 18 in the Premier League, placing him third in the Golden Boot race. Ronaldo was also chosen to the Premier League Team of the Year and received the Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year accolade from the club.
Despite his inspired performances, United finished sixth, missing out on the UEFA Champions League. Ten Hag was demoted to the bench after Ten Hag’s arrival, with the former Ajax coach preferring Marcus Rashford. Ronaldo scored one goal in 10 Premier League matches in 2022-23 and two goals in the Europa League. In the meanwhile, he had two assists in the Europa League.
