Cristiano Ronaldo was in a VIP box as Al-Nassr won 2-0 in their first match since his signing – but was missing from his seat for the entire second half as he watched the game while on an exercise bike in the changing rooms.
The Portuguese veteran, 37, moved to the Saudi Arabian side on a free transfer in late December after his Manchester United contract was ripped up following a bombshell interview with Piers Morgan.
Ronaldo, who was unable to make his debut on Friday as Al-Nassr eased past Al-Ta’ee, watched as his new team-mates secured all three points at the King Saud University Stadium to move four points clear at the top of the Saudi Pro League table.
Social media video from Al-Nassr’s English-speaking Twitter account showed the second goal they scored, with former Arsenal goalkeeper David Ospina playing a long kick up to Brazilian forward Talisca, who finished with aplomb to seal the win.
Footage from Al-Nassr’s Instagram page showed Ronaldo riding on an exercise bike while applauding his new strike partner Talisca for scoring the Saudi side’s second and final goal.
Ronaldo could not make his highly-anticipated debut in Riyadh because he was forced to comply with a two-match FA ban.
So instead, the forward watched with friend Ricky Regufe. He had arrived at Mrsool Park with his team-mates in a tracksuit and negotiated the ankle-deep puddles as entered the stadium 90 minutes before the scheduled kick-off.
His image, showing him wearing his new club shirt, and both his fists raised, showing off his biceps, was given pride of place next to a giant screen and opposite the executive box for all to see.
Despite claims that the 28,000 seater stadium had sold out, Mrsool Park was half empty with swathes of empty yellow seats.
A club source said this was possibly because news of Ronaldo being banned, as first reported by Sportsmail, had reached fans as well as the driving rain and cold temperatures.
The spectators sang their new hero’s name when his image appeared on the stadium screens and he waved back at them from behind a glass screen.
He was joined in the stands by his personal manager Ricardo Regufe, who reportedly negotiated his transfer to Al-Nassr.
According to Portuguese news outlet Publico, Regufe has replaced Ronaldo’s long-serving agent Jorge Mendes as the former striker’s most trusted confidante.
SOURCE: dailymail.co.uk
