‘I’m Portuguese, however I belong to Saudi Arabia’: Ronaldo kisses Saudi emblem, celebrates with flag after 981st purpose in Al-Nassr’s emphatic 3-1 win
Cristiano Ronaldo had one other purpose to rejoice on Monday, however it was what he did with a Saudi Arabian flag after the ultimate whistle that caught consideration. The Al-Nassr captain kissed the nation’s emblem earlier than kick-off, then draped a Saudi flag scarf over his shoulders as he joined supporters in celebration after a 3-1 victory over Uzbekistan’s Neftchi Fergana. The gesture got here amid heightened tensions in Riyadh and days after Portugal signalled its want to welcome him again.
Ronaldo’s Saudi flag gesture comes amid regional tensions
Ronaldo scored his 981st profession purpose in Al-Nassr’s 3-1 win within the second spherical of the AFC Champions League Elite, however his reference to Saudi Arabia was seen even earlier than the match started.Cameras captured the 41-year-old kissing the Saudi nationwide emblem on his Al-Nassr shirt, that includes the palm tree and crossed swords. After the ultimate whistle, he requested supporters for a shawl bearing the Saudi flag, draped it round his shoulders and joined the workforce’s well-known Viking clap celebration.Riyadh had been on excessive alert following lethal Houthi missile assaults on King Khalid International Airport over the weekend. Monday’s match was delayed by an hour after a safety alert was issued within the Saudi capital, earlier than the groups finally took to the pitch.Al-Nassr opened the scoring by means of Angelo Gabriel earlier than Ronaldo struck within the forty second minute. Neftchi Fergana pulled a purpose again by means of Alisher Odilov early within the second half, however an personal purpose from defender Buyan Siger restored Al-Nassr’s two-goal benefit and secured the victory.The membership’s official Arabic account subsequently shared a clip of Ronaldo carrying the Saudi colors alongside the message, “I’m Portuguese, however I belong to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.”The phrases weren’t a brand new declaration, nevertheless, as Ronaldo initially made the assertion in June 2025 throughout an interview with Al-Nassr’s official media after extending his contract till 2027. The membership’s English-language account additionally shared {a photograph} of the celebration with the caption, “A chunk of Saudi, carried near the center.”
Portugal desires Ronaldo again after cross-border dispute
The timing of Ronaldo’s gesture is especially attention-grabbing as a result of his cross-border future has not too long ago change into unsure following his departure from Portugal’s nationwide workforce camp.Ronaldo left the squad in September after a dispute with head coach Jorge Jesus, later accusing the supervisor of breaking his phrase over his enjoying time. The Portuguese Football Federation subsequently opened disciplinary proceedings and imposed a provisional suspension whereas the case is investigated.However, federation president Pedro Proença publicly softened the scenario on October 10, saying Portugal needed their captain again for the November cross-border window. Jesus has additionally indicated that Ronaldo could be welcome offered he stays match, continues enjoying for Al-Nassr and needs to signify his nation.
FILE – Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo (7) leads his workforce’s gamers onto the sphere to heat up forward of their World Cup Group Ok soccer match in opposition to Colombia in Miami Gardens, Fla., June 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell, File)
Ronaldo had already returned to membership motion on October 9, scoring his 980th profession purpose in Al-Nassr’s 3-0 win over Diriyah Club. His strike in opposition to Neftchi Fergana took that tally to 981, leaving him 19 targets wanting the 1,000-goal milestone.The ahead has additionally made clear that he stays keen to play for Portugal after serving any suspension, offered he’s bodily match and persevering with to attain for his membership. With the federation now expressing its want for reconciliation, November may provide a chance for Ronaldo to renew cross-border obligation if the disciplinary course of permits it.For now, his newest look was about greater than one other purpose, because the Saudi flag gesture provided a reminder of the attachment he has publicly expressed in direction of the nation he has referred to as house since January 2023.
