CR7 started its official debut with the Al Nassr jersey, which beat Al Ettifaq by the minimum score. His new team was left at the helm of the local competition.
Football in Saudi Arabia has gained unusual notoriety, following the landing of Cristiano Ronaldo in the league, with all that implies the presence of the Portuguese media crack in a competition far from the elite. Earlier this week, he made his debut on Saudi courts in a friendly match between an all-star team (Riyadh Season) and Lionel Messi’s PSG, in the reunion of the two main football stars of the last 15 years. But he was waiting for CR7’s first game with the shirt of Al Nassr, the club that signed him for a million dollars. That day was this Sunday.
After serving a sentence which he carried over from his last spell at Manchester United, Cristiano has finally made his official debut with one of the most important teams in the Saudi Professional League , the Arab Kingdom League Tournament. With the number 7, the one that has accompanied him practically throughout his career, the Portuguese striker was the starter and captain of his team, which beat Al Ettifaq 1-0, in a duel corresponding to the date 14. As expected, the excitement was felt, with a rockstar welcome.
Ronaldo was the centre-forward, the offensive reference of the team led by Frenchman Rudi García. Behind, he was supported by Argentinian Gonzalo ‘Pity’ Martínez and Brazilian Anderson Talisca. Facing a mid-table rival like Al Ettifaq, the favoritism fell on the host. Despite the favorable statistics, this was not seen on the scoreboard.
The opening of the account happened within 31 minutes, with the goal of Talisca, former Benfica and Besiktas midfielder, assisted by Al-Sulaiheem. That would be the only commitment. Cristiano warmly celebrated the score, with his teammates. El Bicho looked for his realization, but he did not find it in his beginnings. He played all 90 minutes.
According to SofaScore data, the CR7 match had the following numbers: one shot on goal, two blocked shots, one successful dribble, 40 touches, 88% passing accuracy (23/26), two key passes, eight lost possessions, one foul and one of five won on grass.
Cristiano Ronaldo hasn’t lost on each of his official debuts with every shirt he’s worn during his prolific career in the business. He drew in 2002, with Sporting Lisbon, where he is from. Then, consecutively, he won victories at Manchester United, the Portugal team, Real Madrid, Juventus and Al Nassr.
With the result, the blue and yellow box He is the new leader of the Saudi league, with 33 points in 14 games (10 wins, three draws and one defeat). It surpasses Al Hilal, the team of Argentinian Ramón Ángel Díaz, by one unit. In twelfth place, among 16 teams, is Al Wehda of José Luis Sierra, with 15 units.
CR7 will have a new partner in Al Nassr. This is Argentine goalkeeper Agustín Rossi, who will play on loan until mid-year from Boca Juniors, when he joins Flamengo from Brazil, a club with which he already has a pre-contract. The goal went through Deportes Antofagasta.
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Source: Latercera
I’m Scott Moore, a professional writer and journalist based in the US. I’ve been writing for various publications for over 8 years now, and have been working as an author at athletistic for the past five years. My work has been featured by some of the leading sports websites and magazines across Europe.
