Ronaldo, who missed Al-Nassr’s 1-1 draw in the AFC Champions League Elite with Al-Shorta of Iraq on Monday due to a viral infection, fired home from the penalty spot after 33 minutes for his third goal of the season.

Al Nassr CEO Guido Fienga has said Cristiano Ronaldo "doesn't control the club" but stressed the important role the Portugal captain plays in the team.

Nassr appointed former AC Milan boss Stefano Pioli on Wednesday, a day after it fired Luis Castro. The 58-year-old Pioli led Milan to the Serie A title in 2022 and then took the team to the last four of the Champions League in 2023 before leaving the club in May.

Cristiano Ronaldo had a message for the fans after finding the net against Steven Gerrard's Al-Ettifaq to lead Al-Nassr to a big win.

The Al-Nassr captain Cristiano Ronaldo opened the scoring in their 3-0 win over Al-Ettifaq. Ronaldo buried the ball into the back of the net from the spot and after finding the goal, celebrated in a different fashion.

Ronaldo led the line for Stefano Pioli's side in his first game in charge and was handed the opportunity to net from the penalty spot in the first half.