Credits: X
Al-Nassr great Cristiano Ronaldo scored the winning goal for his side in the AFC Champions League Elite. On Monday, September 30, the Knights of Najd recorded their first win in the tournament and took down their counterparts Al-Rayyan of Qatar 2-1 in their group stage clash. Ronaldo had missed Al-Nassr’s opening 1-1 draw against Al-Shorta of Iraq due to a viral infection. In the Monday clash against Al-Rayyan, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner had a goal ruled out.
However, he came up with another goal in the 76th minute with a well-taken left-footed effort to help the side extend their lead and maintain dominance over their counterparts. Earlier, former Liverpool forward Sadio Mane had scored for the side just before the break and gave their side an early lead at the King Saud University Stadium in Riyadh. The 39-year-old footballer ditched his trademark ‘Siuuu’ celebration and ran to the corner of the field and raised both his hands up in the air.
I wish my father was alive: Cristiano Ronaldo makes honest emotional admission after scoring goal for Al-Nassr
After scoring the victory goal for Al-Nassr, which guaranteed them a win over their counterparts, Cristiano Ronaldo made an honest and emotional admission. In the post-match interview, Ronaldo said that he came up with a different celebration as it was dedicated to his father who would have been a year older on the day. He also wished his father was alive to witness the moment. As per Fabrizio Romano, Ronaldo said, "Today’s goal has a different flavor… I wish my father was alive because today is his birthday, it’s for him."
According to Daily Mail, Ronaldo’s father Jose Dinis Aveiro passed away after liver failure at the age of 52 in 2005. Ronaldo was only 20 years old when his father passed away, who would have been 71 years old currently. Coming back to the match, the win over Al Rayyan propelled Al-Nassr to third spot in the group standings in the Champions League.
