Cristiano Ronaldo has taken his place centre stage in the headlines in Saudi Arabia once more on Friday evening.
CR7, of course, opted to take his talents to Asia late last year.
After coming to an agreement on the termination of his contract with Manchester United, the Portuguese international left his legendary European career in the rear view, to put pen to paper on a lucrative deal with Saudi giants Al-Nassr.
Widely expected to take the nation by storm, however, Ronaldo’s time in Riyadh subsequently got off to an inauspicious start.
After netting twice in a friendly meeting with French champions Paris Saint-Germain, the 37-year-old subsequently blanked on both his competitive debut, and against Al-Ittihad in the semi-finals of the Saudi Super Cup.
Al Nassr unveil new signing Cristiano Ronaldo – Mrsool Park, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – January 3, 2023. REUTERS/Ahmed Yosri (Alamy Stock Photo)
But the last couple of weeks, as expected, have see Ronaldo begin to find his feet.
Then, last time out, he announced himself firmly onto the Saudi stage, in rattling off no fewer than four goals against Al-Wehda.
All four of Ronaldo’s goals for Al Nassr today 🤩 pic.twitter.com/xqSgJ8XTSj
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) February 9, 2023
And, as alluded to above, on Friday, Ronaldo’s productive stretch in the final third very much continued.
After being usurped at the summit of the Saudi Pro League by Al-Ittihad, Al-Nassr welcomed Al-Taawoun to Mrsool Park.
Abdulrahman Ghareeb and Abdullah Madu subsequently went on to find the net, en route to a 2-1 triumph for the evening’s hosts.
But, as alluded to above, Ronaldo proved himself the star of the show once more, notching a pair of assists, one courtesy of a defence-splitting pass, and a 2nd in altogether more fortunate fashion:
Two assists from Ronaldo taking Al Nassr back to the top of the Saudi Pro League 😤 pic.twitter.com/qZf6dKkpkt
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) February 17, 2023