Photo: Collected
Just as Saudi Arabia is worried about security due to Houthi attacks, Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has sent a message of his love and support for the country. A special gesture of his after the win against Neftchi surprised Al Nassr supporters and caught everyone’s attention.
Al Nassr won 3-1 in an AFC Champions League Elite second-round match on Monday evening. After Angelo’s goal put the team ahead, Ronaldo scored the second goal in the 42nd minute. After the break, an own goal by Neftchi defender Buyan Sig widened the margin further.
Some complications also arose over the match before kick-off. The game started late after Saudi Arabia’s Civil Defence issued a security alert 15 minutes before the match was due to begin in Riyadh. Several places in Riyadh have recently been targeted by missile attacks fired by the Yemen-based Houthis.
While play was halted, Ronaldo was caught on camera kissing the Saudi flag on his Al Nassr jersey. The scene reflected the gratitude he has felt for the country since coming to play in Saudi Arabia. After the match too, he expressed this stance in a different way.
During the victory celebrations, Ronaldo asked supporters for a scarf bearing the Saudi flag and then wrapped it around his shoulders. Against the backdrop of the recent regional situation, this added a different dimension to his celebration.
Al Nassr’s next opponents in the Saudi Pro League are Al Ahli; the match is on 16 October.
