Cristiano Ronaldo delivered a masterclass after scoring two sensational goals and leading Saudi Arabian side Al Nassr to an exhilarating 4-3 win over Qatar's Al Duhail in the ongoing AFC Champions League 2023-23 season. Al Nassr, boasting talents like ex-Liverpool star Sadio Mane and Anderson Talisca, celebrated their third straight group stage victory as well.
The action began in Riyadh with Talisca opening the scoreline in the 25th minute. Ronaldo, proving age is just a number at 38, brilliantly assisted with a back-heeled flick.
Ronaldo's second goal became an instant sensation online. He unleashed a remarkable curler with his less-favoured foot, marking Al Nassr's fourth against Al Duhail. With the clock ticking down, Ronaldo's swift volley from a Sultan Al Ghannam pass was nothing short of spectacular.
This goal evoked memories of a similar strike against Everton during his 2007/08 season with Manchester United. Ronaldo, who rejoined United in 2021, parted ways with them the following year due to disagreements with manager Erik ten Hag.
Witness Ronaldo's magnificent goal for Al Nassr against Al Duhail here:
A compilation showcasing Ronaldo's goals - the recent one for Al Nassr and the iconic one against Everton:
Since his move to Al Nassr, Ronaldo has been an instrumental member of his team, clinching the Arab Club Champions Cup earlier in 2023. His transfer to Saudi Arabia paved the way for other footballing giants like Neymar, Karim Benzema, and Sadio Mane to join the Saudi Pro League.
Al Duhail's manager Christophe Galtier, formerly of Paris Saint-Germain, was all praises for Ronaldo. He remarked, “Facing Ronaldo leaves you with limited options. His two goals today were exceptional. It's hard to articulate his brilliance, especially at 38. He remains the world's premier player.”
In another match, Riyadh's Al Hilal, even without their injured star Neymar, dominated India's Mumbai City with a 6-0 scoreline, thanks to a brace from former Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic.
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