January 20, 2023, 04:34 PM
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Cristiano Ronaldo played his first football game on Jan. 19 in Saudi Arabia since moving to the Middle East.
The Portuguese star was then named the man of the match in his Saudi debut, despite his side losing 5-4 in a thriller of a friendly match between the Riyadh All-Stars XI and PSG.
The 37-year-old scored twice against the Ligue 1 giants.
Cristiano Ronaldo's Al Nassr debut against PSG | Highlights. 🔥pic.twitter.com/aPHBWyas1D
— CristianoXtra (@CristianoXtra_) January 19, 2023
Match highlights
Ronaldo got his first from the penalty spot after being taken out by former Real Madrid team-mate Keylor Navas.
The goalkeeper came up empty on his punch clearance, instead whacking the Riyadh striker in the face.
Ronaldo played the rest of the match with a visible bruise and swelling on his face.
His second goal came from open play.
Other recent World Cup heroes, Argentina's Lionel Messi and France's Kylian Mbappe, also scored.
Messi gave teammates Mbappe and Neymar chances from the penalty spot.
Mbappe scored, but only after Neymar flubbed his chance to score.
Juan Bernat was sent off in the 39th minute for a last-man foul, leaving PSG down a man for much of the game.
But it did not matter as both sides took advantage of the showcase exhibition environment between two star-studded squads featuring iconic players.
Man of the match
Ronaldo was eventually named the man of the match, much to his apparent surprise.
It ends Riyadh's All-Star XI 4-5 PSG...😅 Ronaldo, Messi AND Mbappe all get on the scoresheet!
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) January 19, 2023
Man of the Match - Cristiano Ronaldo 👏 pic.twitter.com/lGBXFamJrc
The veteran forward was handed a trophy during the post-game ceremony.
He posed for photos with his award.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi embracing before a match for what might be the last time.
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) January 19, 2023
Who's cutting onions? 🥹
(via benblack/Instagram) pic.twitter.com/cLHlKXFXar
Ronaldo also took to social media to exclaim that he was happy to be scoring again and back to playing football.
So happy to be back on the pitch, and on the score sheet!! And nice to see some old friends!👍🏼 pic.twitter.com/qZqKGHsrVD
— Cristiano Ronaldo (@Cristiano) January 19, 2023
Ronaldo joined Al-Nassr on a record-breaking deal worth S$283 million per year following his acrimonious exit from Manchester United.
Top photos via Cristiano Ronaldo & Sky Sports
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