The 38-year-old stepped up at the vital moment and had the entire stadium in silence. Even the man himself looked amazed at what he’d just done. We’ve broken the replay button
Cristiano Ronaldo gave Al Nassr the lead in their Saudi Pro League battle against Damac on Saturday with a free-kick out of the very top draw.
The 38-year-old forward, who has now scored 41 goals in 44 appearances in 2023, put Luis Castro’s team ahead, only minutes after Talisca’s second-half level.
After standing over a free-kick with his signature stance, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner curled the ball past the Damac wall to give the home side a merited 2-1 lead.
Fans inside Al-Awwal Park created some major noise as Ronaldo celebrated in style. In fact, they showed a gigantic tifo in Riyadh that read ‘GOAT’ within the 25,000 capacity stadium.
Check out Ronaldo’s goal for Al Nassr below.
Former Spurs winger Georges-Kevin N’Koudou opened the score for Damac but hosts Al Nassr came out battling in the second half, with Brazilian forward Talisca netting to make it 1-1.
Ronaldo then went up to score one of his greatest goals of the season.
So why does he stand over his free-kicks, feet wide apart and slightly positioned to the side? Before the run-up, the former Real Madrid forward lets out a big sigh before his shoulders go up and down.
Former Manchester United assistant manager Mike Phelan revealed back in 2018 why Ronaldo does his trademark posture before free-kicks.
“People used to lay the ball down, walk away, run up and hit it. He brought in a more dynamic showmanship,” explained Phelan.
“He sets the ball down, the concentration level is high, he takes his particular amount of steps back so that his standing foot is in the exact place to hit the ball in the sweet spot.
When he pulls his shorts up and reveals his thighs, he is shouting ‘All eyes on me’ and this is going in. He understands the marketing part of it. The way he struts up and places it; the world is watching him.”
In other developments, Cristiano Ronaldo has notified Al Nassr and Portugal of his retirement plans, it has been alleged.
According to Spanish daily Cadena COPE Ronaldo has told Al Nassr that he would prefer to negotiate a contract extension through to 2027, when he will be in his early 40’s.
That arrangement would allow him to figure for his country at another World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico in 2026.
