Cristiano Ronaldo wears captain's armband as Al Nassr win on striker's delayed debut
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Updated 22/01/2023 at 22:20 GMT
Cristiano Ronaldo made his debut for Al Nassr on Sunday and wore the captain's armband as his new club beat Al-Ettifaq 1-0 to stay top of the standings. Fans of Ronaldo's new club were made to wait to see him in action after he was handed a two-match ban, but he made up for lost time by playing the full 90 minutes. However, it was a goal by Anderson Talisca that decided the match.
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - JANUARY 22: Cristiano Ronaldo of Al Nassr is seen during the Saudi Pro League match between Al Nassr and Al Ettifaq at Mrsool Park in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on January 22, 2023. (Photo by Stringer/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
Image credit: Getty Images
Cristiano Ronaldo got off to a winning start with Al Nassr on Sunday as the Portugal international captained the club to a 1-0 home victory over Al-Ettifaq on his debut.
Ronaldo terminated his contract with Manchester United last month in the wake of a controversial interview, before penning a deal to 2025 with the Saudi Arabian side.
But Al Nassr fans were made to wait to see their new hero in action after he was handed a two-match ban for slapping a phone out of a fan’s hand at a game for United against Everton.
The 37-year-old, who will earn a reported £177 million per year at his new club, was immediately handed the captain’s armband for his debut.
He started up front for Rudi Garcia’s side, but it was a first-half goal from Brazilian midfielder Anderson Talisca that proved decisive.
Ronaldo scored twice for Riyadh All-Stars in a friendly against Paris Saint-Germain on Thursday, but could not find the net as he played the full 90 minutes in front of his new fans.
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RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - JANUARY 22: A fan holds a banner supporting Cristiano Ronaldo of Al Nassr during the Saudi Pro League match between Al Nassr and Al Ettifaq at Mrsool Park in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on January 22, 2023. (Photo by Stringer/Anadolu Agenc
Image credit: Getty Images
The three points keep Al Nassr at the summit of the Saudi Pro League table after 14 games, but Al Hilal are one point behind and Al Ittihad are just two points back.
It was Ronaldo’s first competitive appearance since the World Cup, where he was controversially dropped to the bench as the tournament progressed until Portugal's quarter-final exit.
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