Cristiano Ronaldo don return to club football and score for Al-Nassr after im Portugal fallout. Di 41-year-old leave national team camp halfway inside four-game Nations League break after e remain unused substitute against Norway. Ronaldo talk say e never retire from international football, but e accuse Portugal boss Jorge Jesus, wey be im former coach for Al-Nassr, of ‘absolute breach of trust’.
Before Saudi Pro League game with Diriyah, home fans unfurl one big banner. Di banner talk say ‘greatness is earned, CR7, all-time top scorer in football history’. Fans also chant im name for seventh minute. Ronaldo give dem more to cheer when e open scoring for 23rd minute. E tuck in rebound after Kingsley Coman shot was parried.
Di goal na Ronaldo 980th career goal for Portugal, Sporting, Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus and Al-Nassr. E dey aim to become first player in history to reach 1,000 goals in official matches. Some 146 of those goals come in 234 caps for im country, both world records in men’s international football.
ESPN report say Ronaldo mark im first match for Al-Nassr since e walk out on Portugal camp last week by scoring 980th career goal on Friday. Di 41-year-old leave Portugal squad after e no play any minute in di 2-1 UEFA Nations League win away at Norway on Sept. 27. Later, e talk say coach Jorge Jesus break im word. Ronaldo win Saudi Arabian title last season with Jesus as Al-Nassr coach. Di saga fit don divide Portugal, but Al-Nassr fans make clear where dia loyalty dey and give Ronaldo warm reception on im return.
Samu Costa head in Joao Felix corner for Al-Nassr second goal. Former Bayern Munich winger Coman run through to add third for 77th minute. Al-Nassr win 3-0 over Al Diriyah. ESPN talk say Al Diriyah goalkeeper Waleed Ali fail to hold Coman shot for first goal, while Al Jazeera talk Waleed Abdullah block di shot before Ronaldo sweep home rebound from close range.
Di win put Al-Nassr level on points behind Al-Qadsiah on goal difference at top of standings, though multiple teams below dem still get matches to play that weekend. Al-Qadsiah earlier thrash Al-Kholood 5-0, with Dutch international Tijjani Reijnders opening scoring and Italy‘s Mateo Retegui and Mexico‘s Julian Quinones also finding target.
Al Jazeera report say Al-Nassr, coached by former Tottenham Hotspur boss Ange Postecoglou, seal win with 13 minutes remaining. Ronaldo post for social media after game: ‘Job done. On to the next one!’ with photo of him celebrating. E bin score record 146 goals in 234 appearances for Portugal. Earlier for week, e talk for statement say e go remain available for national team, but e never clear whether dem go punish am for walking out on squad.
