nigeriasport.ng

Cristiano Ronaldo Shows Loyalty to Saudi Arabia After Scoring 981st Career Goal in AFC Champions League

After netting his 981st career goal, Cristiano Ronaldo expressed his loyalty to Saudi Arabia by wrapping himself in the national scarf during Al-Nassr's 3-1 victory over Neftchi Fergana in the AFC Champions League Elite. The match took place in Riyadh on Monday night and was delayed for an hour due to security concerns.

Emotional Tribute Amid Tense Atmosphere

Ronaldo kissed the badge on his jersey before leading the home fans in a Viking clap celebration following the win. Angelo Gabriel opened the scoring, followed by an own goal from the Uzbek side, which sealed the result for Al-Nassr. Ronaldo’s display held deeper meaning considering missile strikes had targeted Riyadh’s international airport earlier that day, making his gesture a public sign of unity.

Club Shares Ronaldo’s Message of Belonging

Al-Nassr quickly shared Ronaldo’s heartfelt words from when he extended his contract through 2027: "I am Portuguese, but I belong to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia." Their English social media account posted a photo of Ronaldo draped in the national colors with the caption, "A piece of Saudi, carried close to the heart."

Match Played Under Security Concerns

The match was shadowed by regional tensions after Houthi missile attacks struck the capital’s airport earlier that day. Despite the disruption and delayed start, the team maintained focus and earned three important points in continental competition. The performance also gave Ronaldo some respite from questions about his international future after recent disagreements with Portugal’s coach Jorge Jesus.

Al-Nassr Moves Up Group B Standings

  • Team: Al-Nassr
  • Group: B
  • Points after two matches: 3

With this win, Al-Nassr climbs to eighth place in their group. Now they must prepare for a key league game against Al-Ahli on Thursday, where keeping Ronaldo sharp will be crucial. The forward is just 19 goals away from reaching the remarkable milestone of 1,000 career goals.

  • Upcoming Match: Al-Ahli vs Al-Nassr
  • Date & Time: 15 Oct 2026, 21:00
  • Other Upcoming Match: Kokand 1912 vs Neftchi Fergana
  • Date & Time: 16 Oct 2026, 17:00

Related Articles