Cristiano Ronaldo Starts Asian Champions League Campaign With Al Nassr

Cristiano Ronaldo, the iconic Portuguese football sensation, made his much-anticipated debut in the Asian Champions League, donning the colours of Al Nassr, a Saudi Arabian football club. The stage was set, and the fans were eager, but the result didn’t quite match their expectations, as Ronaldo was held scoreless in his maiden appearance in the competition.

Al Nassr secured a 2-0 victory against Iranian club Persepolis in Tehran, but it was Saudi Arabian players who took the spotlight, with Abdulrahman Ghareeb and defender Mohammed Qassem netting the crucial goals. While the scoreboard favoured Al Nassr, Cristiano Ronaldo, the marquee signing, couldn’t find the back of the net on this occasion.

Also Read: Watch: Fans Goes Crazy for Cristiano Ronaldo as He Hits Tehran with Al Nassr

The game unfolded within the confines of an empty Azadi Stadium, a stark contrast to the electrifying atmosphere that usually accompanies a Cristiano Ronaldo match. This unusual scenario arose after the Asian Football Confederation mandated Persepolis to play without fans for one game. The decision came in response to a complaint by Indian club Goa regarding an offensive social media post made by Persepolis in 2021.

As a result, Iranian fans were denied the opportunity to witness Cristiano Ronaldo and other high-profile signings like Sadio Mane and Marcelo Brozovic in action. Instead, it was Abdulrahman Ghareeb who opened the scoring for Al Nassr on the hour mark, setting the stage for a Saudi Arabian triumph. Defender Mohammed Qassem added to the lead 12 minutes later with his first goal for the Riyadh club.

Cristiano Ronaldo, who currently leads the Saudi Pro League in scoring, did have an opportunity to make his mark early in the game, but he headed the ball straight into the Persepolis goalkeeper’s arms from close range.

Off the pitch, the anticipation surrounding Ronaldo’s visit reached a fever pitch. Local fans, eager to catch a glimpse of the 38-year-old superstar, flocked to Al Nassr’s hotel, chanting his name. The chaotic scene disrupted Al Nassr’s training plans, highlighting the immense excitement Ronaldo’s presence generated in the region.

This match marked a significant moment in sporting diplomacy as well. It was the first visit of a Saudi Arabian team to Iran since 2015, following the restoration of diplomatic relations between the two nations in June, thanks to a diplomatic deal brokered by China.

Despite the debut disappointment for Cristiano Ronaldo, Al Nassr’s victory elevated them to the top of Group E in the Asian Champions League, surpassing Al-Duhail of Qatar and Tajikistan’s Istiklol, who played to a goalless draw. In the tournament, only the group winners and the six best runners-up among the 40 participating teams will advance to the second round.

In other Asian Champions League fixtures, Japanese champion Yokohama F. Marinos suffered a 4-2 defeat at the hands of South Korean team Incheon United. South Korean champions Ulsan Hyundai Horang-i secured a 3-1 victory against BG Pathum of Thailand, while Japan’s Kawasaki Frontale emerged victorious with a 1-0 scoreline against Malaysian powerhouse Johor Darul Tazim. China’s Shandong Taishan also claimed a 3-1 win against Kaya of the Philippines.

In the competition’s opening matches, Al Hilal, featuring star forward Neymar, was held to a 1-1 draw by Uzbekistani club Navbahor, while Saudi Arabian champions Al Ittihad, without star striker Karim Benzema, managed a convincing 3-0 victory over AGMK of Uzbekistan.