Cristiano Ronaldo marked his return to action for Al Nassr with a vital equalizer in a 2-1 pre-season win against Toulouse, proving once again that age is no barrier to his incredible goal-scoring prowess.
Cristiano Ronaldo continues to defy time and expectations as he marked his latest appearance for Al Nassr with a crucial goal, proving yet again that age is just a number. In a pre-season encounter against French side Toulouse FC at the Untersberg-Arena, the Portuguese icon demonstrated his enduring quality by notching the equalizer during the first half of the match.
Ronaldo back in action after post-season break
The 40-year-old scored on his return
Al-Nassr won the friendly 2-1
What happened?
The friendly fixture began with Al Nassr under pressure as the Ligue 1 side took the lead in the 25th minute with Yan Gboho finding the back of the net for Toulouse. However, their lead lasted less than 10 minutes before Ronaldo’s equaliser brought Al Nassr back into the contest. The Saudi side looked sharper in the second half and finally seized control of the game when Mohammed Maran scored in the 76th minute as Al Nassr registered a 2-1 win.
The Bigger Picture
Ronaldo could have had his second of the match, but a mix-up with his compatriot Joao Felix saw the opportunity go begging. The 25-year-old attacker joined the Saudi club on a €50 million (£44m/$58m) deal consisting of an initial €30m fee plus €20m in performance-related add-ons from Chelsea. He has signed a two-year contract with the Pro League giants and will look to reignite his career after a difficult spell in England.
What’s Next for Al-Nassr?
The win over Toulouse serves as an important step in Al Nassr’s pre-season preparations. The team is scheduled to travel to Spain next, where they will face La Liga side Almeria at the Estadio Mediterraneo on Sunday, August 10. That match will be followed by a significant domestic showdown on August 19, when they will take on rivals Al Ittihad in the Saudi Super Cup, a competition that could offer them their first piece of silverware this campaign.
