Cristiano Ronaldo made his long-awaited debut for Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League on Sunday, but unfortunately, he was unable to mark the occasion with a goal. The 37-year-old Portuguese star signed a 2.5-year deal with Al Nassr last month, reportedly worth over €200 million, but had to wait due to a two-match ban imposed by the English FA. After showcasing his pace and endeavour on the pitch, Ronaldo’s efforts were thwarted by Al Ettifaq’s solid defence and his own teammates’ lack of cohesion.
Ronaldo was named captain ahead of the match, and he did his part to create opportunities for his new team, having a shot from the edge of the penalty area blocked early on and being denied a penalty shout after being wrestled to the ground by an Ettifaq defender. Despite these glimpses of brilliance, Ronaldo’s impact was ultimately limited by his inability to connect with his teammates and Al Nassr’s midfield struggles to find a creative spark.
Meanwhile, Brazilian forward Anderson Talisca earned Al Nassr a 1-0 win with a well-timed header in the 31st minute, after rising to meet Abdulmajeed Al-Sulaiheem’s cross. Talisca’s goal was a glimpse of the kind of clinical finishing that Al Nassr will need to produce consistently if they are to lift the Saudi Pro League title. Al Ettifaq’s goalkeeper Paulo Victor was called upon to make several crucial saves throughout the match, but ultimately, he couldn’t deny Al Nassr the three points.
Cristiano Ronaldo (Via Cristiano Ronaldo/Twitter)
In his post-match interview, Talisca praised Ronaldo’s personality and ability to adapt quickly to the team, stating, “in football there is one Cristiano Ronaldo and we are happy to have him with us.” Ronaldo’s desire to seal a win for his new team became more evident as the second half wore on, culminating in an unsuccessful attempt at a bicycle kick. Despite this setback, Ronaldo’s presence undoubtedly lifted the morale of his teammates and the Al Nassr faithful, who packed Mrsool Park to witness his debut.
The win lifted Al Nassr back into first place in the league standings, with 33 points from 14 matches, while Al Ettifaq languished in 10th place. As Al Nassr looks to the future, they will be keen to build upon the foundation set by Talisca and establish a more sustainable attacking partnership with Ronaldo. For now, the excitement surrounding Ronaldo’s arrival in Saudi Arabia will have to wait for another day, as he continues to work on building cohesion with his new teammates and finding his rhythm in the Saudi Pro League.
