Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr debut shows things have changed since leaving Man Utd

22 Jan 2023

Cristiano Ronaldo is set to turn out for Al-Nassr for the first time after signing his eye-watering contract with the Saudi giants following his exit from Manchester United

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - JANUARY 22: Cristiano Ronaldo of Al Nassr looks on during the Saudi Pro League match between Al Nassr and Al-Ittifaq Club at Mrsool Park Stadium on January 22, 2023 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images)

Cristiano Ronaldo in his first outing for Al-Nassr

Cristiano Ronaldo got off to a winning start in Saudi Arabia as Al-Nassr moved to the top of the league with a 1-0 win over Ettifaq.

The 37-year-old signed for the Saudi giants at the start of the month, but has been forced to watch from the sidelines after a two-game ban imposed by the English FA. But after serving that suspension, he was back in the line-up and helped his new team-mates to a narrow victory.

The three points came courtesy of a first-half header from Anderson Talisca - who was the star of the show throughout the clash. On the whole, it was a positive first showing for Ronaldo as he cut a much happier looking figure throughout the encounter. And unlike those final days at Manchester United, he was happy to encourage, rather than criticise when things didn't go to plan.

Al-Nassr and Ronaldo now have four days to prepare for a top-of-the-table clash with Al-Ittihad on Thursday night.

Mirror Football followed the action live from the Mrsool Park Stadium and you can recap it all below.

19:36Ben Husband

Thanks for joining us

That's all from today, as Ronaldo gets a win on his Al-Nassr debut.

Thanks for joining us and we'll see you again soon!

19:27KEY EVENT

Ronaldo's change of attitude clear

He's gone round and greeted all of his team-mates after the final whistle. Really has been the theme of the day. He's been so positive throughout the game and showed the kind of body language that was so often missing at Manchester United.

There's no dressing up the fact that his performance left plenty to be desired, but his introduction to the Saudi Pro League proved this won't be a cruise into retirement. Ettifaq were game and commited opponents and gave as good as they got.

Ronaldo will also be delighted that in Talisca, he has another genuinely top-class star that will help him adjust to his new surroundings.

19:23Ben Husband

Full time

Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr career starts with a win and his new side move to the top of the Saudi Pro League.

A good day's work. Talisca the real star of the show though.

19:21Ben Husband

Almost the moment

Ronaldo nearly had a goal to cap his day but the ball through his overhit. But rather than berate his team-mate he turns and encourages. Been that kind of day for him

19:21Ben Husband

Into stoppage time

And Al-Nassr are hanging on fairly comfortably. Just over a minute between Ronaldo and a winning start

19:15Ben Husband

5 to go

And it's all getting very tense. Ettifaq are furious with every decision the ref is making now. Feel like there's one big chance left for either side.

19:12Ben Husband

82'

Ettifaq are knocking on the door here. Al-Nassr just survived a scramble in the box and Niakate spurned a great chance to equalise

19:04Ben Husband

74'

He may be 37 but he can still get up about 8ft into the air to try a spectacular bicycle kick. He missed the volley and gave away a free-kick, but still....looked quite good.

At his age, getting in and out of chair should be enough to cause a groan so it's still impressive.

18:59Ben Husband

20 minutes to go

Al-Nassr would like a second goal to put this beyond Ettifaq, who will still fancy their chances of a late equaliser.

Ronaldo still going strong, curious to see if he plays the full 90 minutes having only spent a couple of weeks with his new team.

18:49Ben Husband

More Al-Nassr chances

Been a while since I've seen Ronaldo burn opponents on the counter but he did so there. Nice piece of skill then teed up Talisca. He fired a thunderous shot towards the bottom corner which was saved well

18:47Ben Husband

60'

Great work from Ronaldo down the left flank as he fires a great cross towards Pity Martinez who sees a shot tipped over the bar. Al-Nassr then have another strike which whistles over the crossbar.

18:46Ben Husband

Ettifaq still in this

They haven't offered too much in an attacking sense, but they now have a fre-kick in a very dangerous area. Well over

18:42Ben Husband

53'

Much of the same for Ronaldo who isn't seeing much of the ball. Just had an ambitious shot from distance which has gone behind for a corner,.

18:34Ben Husband

Second half is underway

Back underway at the Mrsool Park Stadium...

18:32Ben Husband

Man Utd lose

Ronaldo's new team are winning, but his old lost 3-2 after a thrilling encounter with Arsenal at The Emirates.

Catch up on all the drama here

(

Image:

Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

18:19Ben Husband

Half time

And Al-Nassr lead 1-0. Ronaldo hasn't done too much to write home about but he will just be pleased that his new side are leading at the break.

Talisca with the only goal of the game.

18:10Ben Husband

40'

I know today is all about Ronaldo, but Talisca looks the best player on the pitch by a long way here. Quick, skilful and just played a beautiful through ball for Ghareeb

18:05Ben Husband

Ronaldo's first Al-Nassr free-kick

Aaaaaaaand it's about 12 yards over

18:04Ben Husband

34'

Talisca is running this game now. Wins a free-kick on the edge of the box. Ronaldo to take.....

18:02Ben Husband

GOAL AL-NASSR

Anderson Talisca scores. It was a wonderful cross into the box, Ronaldo tried to get to the header, missed it and Talisca was on hand to open the scoring.

He was brilliant in the midweek friendly against PSG and Ronaldo looks like he has a perfect partner for his new adventure.

17:58Ben Husband

25'

Ronaldo struggling to get into the game really, he is still encouraging his team-mates but hasn't seen much of the ball. Moments ago there was a particular errant pass in his direction, but rather than criticise, he clapped the efforts.

New year, new me and all that jazz...

17:49Ben Husband

Ronaldo wants a penalty

And he has got a case to be fair. The Ettifaq defender had two arms around Ronaldo as he attempted to go up for a header. Nothing doing on this occasion.

17:45Ben Husband

15'

Still 0-0 but this is a very competitive match. Tackles are flying in and Ettifaq are definitely here to spoil Ronaldo's party.

17:38Ben Husband

First chance!

He picked up the ball about 30 yards out, drove at goal but saw his shot blocked behind for a corner.

17:35Ben Husband

5 minutes in

Not too much to report yet. Ronaldo has one or two tocuhes, each greeted by wild screams from the crowd. He's playing in a familiar role as a central striker with Talisca behind him.

17:30Ben Husband

And we're underway!

Here we go then, Ronaldo's Al-Nassr career has officially started...

17:23Ben Husband

Almost time for kick-off

17:17Ben Husband

The fans are ready

Not sure an Al-Nassr match has ever had this many eyes on it. Just over 10 minutes until kick-off.

16:54Ben Husband

Man Utd coping without him

On the day he makes his debut for his new club, I wonder whether Ronaldo is keeping an eye on his old one?

In his absence, United are flying and as he prepares for his Saudi Pro League debut, they are playing Arsenal at the Emirates.

After an early Marcus Rashford goal, Eddie Nketiah has just levelled it up....

16:27KEY EVENT

Ronaldo starts

Al-Nassr have confirmed that Cristiano Ronaldo will START today's game vs Ettifaq. He's also been given the captain's armband.

Game kicks off in just over an hour.

Al-Nassr XI: Al-Aqidi; Al-Ghannam, Nadu, Al-Amri, Al-Oujami; Al-Sulaiheem, Al-Khaibari, Ghareeb; Talisca, Martinez, Ronaldo.

(

Image:

Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images)
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