CRISTIANO RONALDO scored his first free-kick in THREE YEARS to inspire Al-Nassr to a crucial comeback win.
The Portuguese’s knuckleball technique rose to prominence during his first spell at Manchester United.
His Old Trafford free-kick against Portsmouth was particularly memorable, but his dead ball prowess has waned in recent seasons.
Prior to yesterday, his last free-kick goal came while playing for Juventus in July 2020.
Ronaldo, sporting a top-knot at the time, dinked a free-kick into the back of the net during Juve’s 4-1 win over local rivals Torino.
It would be his only free-kick goal during his time in Italy.
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He finally broke his duck yesterday, and picked an opportune moment to do so.
Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr trailed 1-0 at home to Abha in the 78th minute, when they won a free-kick 30 yards out from goal.
Undeterred by his lack of set piece success in recent years, Ronaldo stood over it in his trademark stance.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner duly thwacked his shot into the back of the net.
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He didn’t appear to be a man taking a final payday as he passionately celebrated his crucial equaliser – screaming in elation and pumping his fists to the crowd.
Abha were reduced to ten men just two minutes later, and Anderson Talisca completed Al-Nassr’s comeback on 86 minutes.
The win kept Al-Nassr within just one point of leaders Al-Ittihad at the top of the Saudi Pro League.
Ronaldo’s title rivals are managed by ex-Tottenham boss Nuno Espirito Santo – and they continued their brilliant run with a 5-1 victory at Al Fateh yesterday.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
