Cristiano Ronaldo ends with win but no goals on Al-Nassr debut in Saudi Arabia

Cristiano Ronaldo in action for Al-Nassr on his debut in the Saudi Pro league.
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Cristiano Ronaldo helped new club Al-Nassr to victory on his competitive debut in the Saudi Pro League, but the Portuguese will have to wait a little longer for his first official goal.

The former Manchester United and Real Madrid attacker was on target twice last week for a combined Riyadh All Stars XI against Paris Saint-Germain in a friendly match and the five-time Ballon d'Or winner was lively in his first game for Al-Nassr on Sunday.

Ronaldo played the full 90 minutes against Al-Ettifaq, but the only goal of the game was netted by Brazilian Anderson Talisca.

Talisca, who previously played for Benfica and Besiktas among others, netted following a cross from Abdulmajeed Al Sulaiheem after the ball had gone over Ronaldo's head.

The Portuguese almost set up a team-mate for a chance later in the game, but the subsequent shot was off target.

The win sees Al-Nassr go top of the Saudi Pro League by a point from Al-Hilal.

Al-Nassr also have a game in hand over their Riyadh rivals and are in action next away to Al-Fateh on February 3rd.

Ben Hayward
Weekend editor

Ben Hayward is a European football writer and Tottenham Hotspur fan with over 15 years’ experience, he has covered games all over the world - including three World Cups, several Champions League finals, Euros, Copa America - and has spent much of that time in Spain. Ben speaks English and Spanish, currently dividing his time between Barcelona and London, covering all the big talking points of the weekend on FFT: he’s also written several list features and interviewed Guglielmo Vicario for the magazine.