Football: Ronaldo fails to score on debut as Al Nassr beat Al Ettifaq

RIYADH – Al Nassr coach Rudi Garcia said that Cristiano Ronaldo was instrumental in helping his new team secure victory over Al Ettifaq, even though he was not involved in the only goal of the match.

Anderson Talisca earned Al Nassr a 1-0 home win on Sunday, with Ronaldo making his Saudi Pro league debut as captain of the team.

“It’s a positive addition when you have a player like Ronaldo as he helps to distract the defenders, which is what happened with our goal,” Garcia said.

“Today, we created opportunities for him and asked the players to diversify the game between him and Talisca, and we must not forget that he participated in the (exhibition match against) Paris Saint-Germain and did not get enough rest.

“Even with the presence of Ronaldo, it is not easy to win the Saudi League because of... the strength of the competitors.”

Al Nassr’s win moved them back to the top of the standings with 33 points from 14 matches. They are one point ahead of second-placed Al Hilal, who have played one game more.

Ronaldo signed a two-and-a-half-year deal with Al Nassr in December, reported to be worth over €200 million (S$280 million), but has had to wait to play because of

a two-match ban imposed by England’s Football Association

for knocking a phone out of a fan’s hand in April.

Expectations for his debut were sky high after

his brace against PSG in a friendly

on Thursday but, despite showcasing plenty of endeavour against Al Ettifaq, the 37-year-old was unable to add to his tally of more than 800 senior goals overall for club and country.

Brazilian forward Talisca put Al Nassr ahead in the 31st minute when he rose to meet Abdulmajeed Al-Sulaiheem’s cross and plant a header past Al Ettifaq goalkeeper Paulo Victor.

Ronaldo’s best moment after the break came in a supportive role, as he played a cross into the feet of Pity Martinez, whose first-time shot was tipped over the bar by Victor.

“In the world of football, there is one Cristiano Ronaldo and we are happy to have him with us. Ronaldo’s personality helped him to adapt with the team,” Talisca told Saudi Sports Channel.

Al Nassr next face Al Ittihad in the Saudi Super Cup semi-final on Thursday. AFP, REUTERS