Cristiano Ronaldo had another goal to celebrate on Monday, but it was what he did with a Saudi Arabian flag after the final whistle that caught attention. The Al-Nassr captain kissed the country’s emblem before kick-off, then draped a Saudi flag scarf over his shoulders as he joined supporters in celebration after a 3-1 victory over Uzbekistan’s Neftchi Fergana. The gesture came amid heightened tensions in Riyadh and days after Portugal signalled its desire to welcome him back.
Ronaldo’s Saudi flag gesture comes amid regional tensions
Ronaldo scored his 981st career goal in Al-Nassr’s 3-1 win in the second round of the AFC Champions League Elite, but his connection with Saudi Arabia was visible even before the match began.Cameras captured the 41-year-old kissing the Saudi national emblem on his Al-Nassr shirt, featuring the palm tree and crossed swords. After the final whistle, he asked supporters for a scarf bearing the Saudi flag, draped it around his shoulders and joined the team’s famous Viking clap celebration.Riyadh had been on high alert following deadly Houthi missile attacks on King Khalid International Airport over the weekend. Monday’s match was delayed by an hour after a security alert was issued in the Saudi capital, before the teams eventually took to the pitch.Al-Nassr opened the scoring through Angelo Gabriel before Ronaldo struck in the 42nd minute. Neftchi Fergana pulled a goal back through Alisher Odilov early in the second half, but an own goal from defender Buyan Siger restored Al-Nassr’s two-goal advantage and secured the victory.The club’s official Arabic account subsequently shared a clip of Ronaldo wearing the Saudi colours alongside the message, “I am Portuguese, but I belong to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.”The words were not a new declaration, however, as Ronaldo originally made the statement in June 2025 during an interview with Al-Nassr’s official media after extending his contract until 2027. The club’s English-language account also shared a photograph of the celebration with the caption, “A piece of Saudi, carried close to the heart.”
Portugal wants Ronaldo back after international dispute
The timing of Ronaldo’s gesture is particularly interesting because his international future has recently become uncertain following his departure from Portugal’s national team camp.Ronaldo left the squad in September after a dispute with head coach Jorge Jesus, later accusing the manager of breaking his word over his playing time. The Portuguese Football Federation subsequently opened disciplinary proceedings and imposed a provisional suspension while the case is investigated.However, federation president Pedro Proença publicly softened the situation on October 10, saying Portugal wanted their captain back for the November international window. Jesus has also indicated that Ronaldo would be welcome provided he remains fit, continues playing for Al-Nassr and wants to represent his country.
FILE – Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo (7) leads his team’s players onto the field to warm up ahead of their World Cup Group K soccer match against Colombia in Miami Gardens, Fla., June 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell, File)
Ronaldo had already returned to club action on October 9, scoring his 980th career goal in Al-Nassr’s 3-0 win over Diriyah Club. His strike against Neftchi Fergana took that tally to 981, leaving him 19 goals short of the 1,000-goal milestone.The forward has also made clear that he remains willing to play for Portugal after serving any suspension, provided he is physically fit and continuing to score for his club. With the federation now expressing its desire for reconciliation, November could offer an opportunity for Ronaldo to resume international duty if the disciplinary process allows it.For now, his latest appearance was about more than another goal, as the Saudi flag gesture offered a reminder of the attachment he has publicly expressed towards the country he has called home since January 2023.
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