Cristiano Ronaldo failed to find the back of the net in his much-awaited debut for Al Nassr vs Ettifaq.
Though the team claimed a 1-0 win over Ettifaq FC at Mrsool Park, the Portuguese forward failed to register his name on the scoresheet in his first official appearance for the Saudi Arabian club.
Al Nassr moved back to the top of the Saudi Pro League, a point above Riyadh rivals, Al Hilal thanks to Anderson Talisca’s first-half header.
Ronaldo was on target twice for Saudi select team in a friendly match against Paris Saint-Germain on Thursday.
He was named captain in his first domestic game but didn’t register a shot on goal.
The superstar’s debut for his new club was delayed after serving a two-match suspension handed down by the English FA for an incident during his spell at his former club Manchester united.
His contract at Old Trafford was terminated in December last year after giving a controversial interview to Piers Morgan before moving to Al Nassr on a two-year deal worth $200 million per year.
Ronaldo had his best chance with a first-half free-kick that went narrowly over the crossbar, but it was otherwise a quiet night for the Portugal striker.
However, goalscorer Talisca was full of praise for Ronaldo even though the Real Madrid legend drew a blank in the encounter.
“In the world of football there is one Cristiano Ronaldo and we are happy to have him with us. Ronaldo’s personality helped him to adapt with the team,” Talisca told Saudi Sports Channel.
He added: “If you want to win the title, we need to win such games and fight. Our goal was to return to the top and we succeeded in that, and I congratulate the players on achieving our goal.”
On Thursday, Al Nassr will be next in action in the Saudi Super Cup against Al Ittihad.
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