By Jaime Spencer
Cristiano Ronaldo is finally off the mark in the Saudi Pro League after scoring his first goal for Al Nassr to save a 2-2 93rd minute draw against Al Fateh on Friday night.
Ronaldo, who turns 38 on Sunday, had already drawn blanks against Al-Ettifaq and Al Ittihad for his new club and his third cap seemed to go in the same direction.
But the five-time Ballon d’Or winner got a chance to open his account in the Middle East when Al-Nassr was awarded a penalty right at the end of the match.
Ronaldo and co. they were trailing by then, with Al Fateh leading 2-1 from just before the hour mark having broken the deadlock even earlier.
The Portugal legend took the safe option from the penalty spot, shaping himself to aim for a corner but then slotting the ball into the center after Al Fateh goalkeeper Jacob Rinne engaged in diving.
The result ensured that Al-Nassr remained top of the Saudi Pro League, level on points with Al Shabab, who played one game more. Al Hilal trail by two points, with Al Ittihad just one further back and with a game down. Just four points separate the entire top five in the championship.
Ronaldo’s contract with Manchester United was mutually terminated in November following a controversial aired interview Talk TVduring which he criticized the club and irreparably damaged his relationship with manager Erik ten Hag.
Ended refusing offers from Brazilwhile MLS team Sporting Kansas City was as well it is said to be close to guaranteeing a shock transferbefore ending up in Saudi Arabia with an astronomical contract that makes him the highest paid sportsman in the world.
European giants like Bayern Munich or Chelsea have decided not to pursue him, despite suggestions that Ronaldo wanted to leave Manchester United to play in the Champions League.
This article was originally posted on 90min.com as Cristiano Ronaldo scores Al-Nassr’s first goal.
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