Cristiano Ronaldo Honors Saudi Arabia with Scarf Gesture After Scoring 981st Career Goal in AFC Champions League

In a memorable night for Al-Nassr FC, Cristiano Ronaldo marked his 981st career goal by proudly displaying a Saudi Arabian national scarf. The gesture came after Al-Nassr secured a 3-1 win over Neftchi Fergana in the AFC Champions League Elite match held in Riyadh.

Celebration Filled with Emotion Amid Tense Circumstances

Ronaldo, aged 41, kissed his club's badge before leading the crowd in a Viking clap following the final whistle. His emotional tribute took on added significance given the backdrop of missile strikes targeting Riyadh earlier that day, which caused a one-hour delay in the kickoff due to security concerns.

The goals included a strike from Angelo Gabriel and an own goal from Neftchi Fergana, securing a comfortable victory for the home side and vital points in their Asian campaign.

Public Declaration of Commitment

Following the match, Al-Nassr shared images of Ronaldo wrapped in the Saudi colors, emphasizing his connection to the country. The club's English social media account described him as "A piece of Saudi, carried close to the heart." When extending his contract through 2027, Ronaldo expressed his feelings candidly to the club's media: "I am Portuguese, but I belong to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia."

Match Held Under Security Threat

The game was overshadowed by regional tensions after Houthi missile strikes targeted Riyadh's international airport earlier the same day. Despite the disruption and heightened alert, Al-Nassr maintained focus and delivered a strong performance that brought reassurance amid uncertainty.

Looking Ahead: Domestic and Continental Challenges

With this win, Al-Nassr sits eighth in Group B of the AFC Champions League, having earned three points from two matches. Attention quickly turns back to domestic competition with a crucial league match against Al-Ahli scheduled for October 15. Ronaldo, now just 19 goals shy of reaching 1,000 career goals, remains key to the club’s ambitions both at home and in Asia.

• Match: Al-Nassr FC vs Neftchi Fergana
• Competition: AFC Champions League Elite
• Final Score: 3-1
• Date: October 13, 2026
• Goal Scorers: Cristiano Ronaldo (981st career goal), Angelo Gabriel, Own goal by Neftchi Fergana
• Next Matches: Al-Nassr vs Al-Ahli (Saudi Pro League) - October 15, 21:00; Kokand 1912 vs Neftchi Fergana (Uzbek League) - October 16, 17:00