CRISTIANO RONALDO mania hit Iran as fans chased Al-Nassr’s team bus and flocked into the club’s hotel upon the superstar’s arrival.
Huge crowds lined the streets and mobbed the bus, hoping to see Ron ahead of Tuesday’s Asian Champions League tie with Persepolis.
There were even claims Al-Nassr called off a training session because of the frenzy caused by hundreds of supporters.
It shows Ronaldo’s fame has spread even wider across Asia since his switch to Saudi Arabia in January this year.
And the hype has heightened since the summer influx to Saudi Arabia of more big names like Neymar, Karim Benzema and Aymeric Laporte.
Ron himself has been joined at his club by Sadio Mane, whose former Liverpool team-mates Roberto Firmino, Fabinho and Jordan Henderson have switched to the same league.
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Al-Nassr posted clips on X, formerly known as Twitter, of fans running to try to catch the yellow bus.
Many raised their phones, desperate to take photos of the five-time Ballon d’Or winner through the vehicle’s windows.
Manchester United and Real Madrid legend Ron, 38, is the top overseas sporting attraction in Iran, where football is the main game.
He has just failed to make the Ballon d’Or shortlist for the first time since 2003.
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Such a run could be considered a compliment – but Ron’s longevity is nothing compared to the historic reputation of Persepolis.
The town currently hosting Al-Nassr was the capital of the Persian empire from around 500 BC to 330 BC.
And its archaeological ruins make it a World Heritage Site.
But despite quitting football’s elite leagues Ron is far from a relic.
And after his extra time double won the Arab Club Champions Cup for Al-Nassr in August, he is dreaming of adding Asia’s main club trophy to his five Champions League successes in Europe.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
