Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Palestinian platforms: Settlers storm Al-Aqsa Mosque complex under the protection of the occupation police
Palestinian platforms: The IOF detonated a booby-trapped robot east of the al-Zaytoun neighborhood, south of Gaza City
Syrian Defense: We call on all parties in Sweida to cooperate with security forces and exercise restraint
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: The Lebanese Army is continuing its investigations and will later announce any information that does not affect the confidentiality of the investigation
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: It has not yet been determined whether the detainees belong to ISIS or another organization
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Around 10 people of different nationalities, including Lebanese nationals, were detained
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: The Lebanese army arrested a number of people in the Matn area of Mount Lebanon with possession it has not disclosed
Gaza Civil Defense spokesman: We have strong indications that there are martyrs, injuries, and trapped people in the Salah al-Din area
Gaza Civil Defense spokesman: Citizens should avoid Salah al-Din Street because anyone who approaches it is at risk of being directly targeted
Gaza Civil Defense spokesman: Reality is that there is a very limited retreat of the vehicles, with the occupation forces providing cover undeer fire up to Salah al-Din Street

Ronaldo winning first match in Saudi League

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 22 Jan 2023 23:30
3 Min Read

Ronaldo's league debut felt underwhelming in front of 22,862 spectators after he scored twice in this week's entertaining 5-4 exhibition loss to Paris Saint-Germain of Lionel Messi.

  • x
  • Al Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo, centre, jumps for the ball against Al Ettifaq's players during the Saudi Pro League match between Al Nassr and Al Ettifaq at Mrsool Park Stadium, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2023 (AP Photo)
    Al Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo, centre, jumps for the ball against Al Ettifaq's players during the Saudi Pro League match between Al Nassr and Al Ettifaq at Mrsool Park Stadium, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2023 (AP Photo)

As the highest-paid footballer in history, Cristiano Ronaldo guided Al Nassr to a 1-0 victory over Ettifaq on Sunday, giving him a winning start to life in the Saudi Pro League.

Despite the Portuguese superstar's goalless performance, Al Nassr saw encouraging signals as they eyed local and continental honors after the 37-year-old moved for agreements worth more than 400 million euros.

However, Ronaldo's league debut felt underwhelming in front of 22,862 spectators after he scored twice in this week's entertaining 5-4 exhibition loss to Paris Saint-Germain of Lionel Messi.

Read More: Saudi businessman pays $2.6m to watch Ronaldo v. Messi game in KSA

"He's one of the best players in the history of football, so it's very important for us to do everything possible to put him in the best condition," said Al Nassr coach Rudi Garcia.

"I want him to enjoy playing and tonight he was happy to play for the first time with his new team."

Related News

Ronaldo leads Al-Nassr to historic Arab Club Champions victory

Ronaldo Set to Become the Highest-Paid Footballer

As captain for Al Nassr, Ronaldo had a quiet first half and twice tried trickery cost him the ball as his teammates struggled to get it to him.

Ronaldo nearly connected with Abdulmajeed Al Sulaiheem's cross that Anderson Talisca headed in for the game's lone goal on 31 minutes after Ronaldo's early attempt from the edge of the box was deflected over.

Read next: Saudi Arabia set to bend marriage laws for Cristiano Ronaldo

Soon after, Ronaldo blasted over a free kick from a prime location just outside the penalty area while being greeted with cries of "Siu!" whenever he touched the ball.

After a few of his signature stepovers, Ronaldo set up Pity Martinez and Talisca for successive near calls as Al Nassr's front three started to gel in the second half.

After dribbling into the box, Ronaldo attempted a shot from an almost impossible angle after swinging and missing with a bicycle kick to indicate he was getting comfortable with the task.

In a victory that kept Al Nassr atop the Saudi Pro League, Ronaldo was unable to score in front of his girlfriend Georgina Rodriguez.

This comes after Ronaldo joined Saudi football club Al-Nassr earlier, agreeing to a £175 million per year contract. He left the Manchester United club after an interview with Piers Morgan that saw him criticize the club, Erik ten Hag, and the Glazers.

  • Ronaldo
  • Cristiano Ronaldo
  • al-nasr
  • Saudi Arabia

Most Read

Hezbollah SG reveals war details on Al Mayadeen for the first time

Hezbollah SG reveals war details on Al Mayadeen for the first time

  • Politics
  • 8 Jul 2025
Major ambush in Gaza kills 6 Israeli troops, injures dozens

Major ambush in Gaza kills 5 Israeli troops, injures 14

  • Politics
  • 8 Jul 2025
Israeli soldiers are seen in Beit Hanoun ahead of an operation by the al-Qassam Brigades, undated (Al-Qassam Brigades Military Media)

'Israel' on blast as media exposes report discrepancies in Gaza ambush

  • Palestine
  • 8 Jul 2025
Yemen Navy sinks ETERNITY C ship, shares footage of operation

Yemen Navy sinks ETERNITY C ship, shares footage of operation

  • Politics
  • 9 Jul 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
The Freedom Flotilla ship Handala as it departs for Gaza, where it aims to break the maritime blockade at a port in Syracuse, Sicily in southern Italy on July 13, 2025. (AFP)
Palestine

Freedom Flotilla's Handala departs Sicily in bid to break Gaza siege

The container ship CMA CGM Laperouse, left, docks at the Georgia Ports Authority's Port of Savannah, Sept. 29, 2021, in Savannah, Ga (AP)
Politics

US shipbuilding woes deepen as tariffs, outdated policies backfire

Gaza war raises ethical questions for ex-Obama, Biden officials
Politics

Mercenary firm tied to Gaza war crimes hires Obama-Biden PR operatives

'Israel' targets children in Gaza collecting water
Palestine

'Israel' strikes Gaza kids fetching water, blames it on 'malfunction'

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS