Cristiano Ronaldo is a doubt for Al Nassr’s Saudi Pro League opener against Al Ettifaq after picking up a knock to his knee during his trophy-winning performance in the King Salman Club Cup final.
The Nassr captain, 38, scored both goals in the team’s come-from-behind, 2-1 win in extra-time against Al Hilal in Taif on Saturday.
The victory earned Ronaldo, who finished the tournament as top scorer, his first piece of silverware with the club since his move there in December.
However, he was taken off minutes before the conclusion of the match. The Portuguese forward looked to have twisted his knee in the turf at the Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Stadium when challenging for the ball with Al Hilal's Mohammed Jahfali.
Grimacing in pain, Ronaldo required assistance from the medical buggy to leave the pitch, although he joined his teammates for the trophy celebrations and did appear to be walking untroubled.
Nassr, runners-up in last season’s Saudi Pro League, get their 2023/24 campaign under away on Monday, away to Steven Gerrard’s Al Ettifaq.
On Saturday night, Ronaldo posted a message on his social media paying tribute to those who helped him achieve his first success with Nassr. He finished the tournament with six goals.
“Extremely proud to help the team winning this important trophy for the 1st time!” he said. “Thank you to everyone in the club that was involved in this great achievement and to my family and friends for always being by my side! Fantastic support by our fans! This also belongs to you!"
Ronaldo steers Al Nassr to King Salman Club Cup glory
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Cristiano Ronaldo lifts the King Salman Club Cup after beating Al Hilal and 2-1 at King Fahd International Stadium in Riyadh on August 12, 2023. Getty -
Cristiano Ronaldo and Nawaf Alaqidi of Al Nassr celebrate after their victory. Getty -
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - AUGUST 12: Cristiano Ronaldo of Al Nassr lifts the Arab Club Champions Cup trophy with teammates after the team's victory in the Arab Club Champions Cup Final between Al Hilal and Al Nassr at King Fahd International Stadium on August 12, 2023 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Yasser Bakhsh / Getty Images) -
AL Nassr celebrate their victory in Riyadh. Getty -
Al Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoring his team's second goal. Getty -
Cristiano Ronaldo of Al Nassr celebrates after VAR cleared his second goal. Getty -
Al Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo is fouled by Al Hilal defender Kalidou Koulibaly. AP -
Cristiano Ronaldo of Al Nassr goes down injured. Getty -
Cristiano Ronaldo is taken off the pitch on buggy after his injury. AFP -
Al Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo after being fouled by Al Hilal defender Kalidou Koulibaly. -
Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates scoring his first goal for Al Nassr. Getty -
Hilal's Portuguese midfielder Ruben Neves. AFP -
Al Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo on the attack. Getty -
Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoring Al Nassr's first goal. AFP -
Referee Redouane Jiyed shows a red card to Abdulelah Al Amri of Al Nassr. Getty -
Nassr's Marcelo Brozovic under pressure from Ruben Neves of Al Hilal. Getty -
Michael Delgado celebrates after scoring for Al Hilal. Getty -
Sadio Mane of Al Nassr on the attack. Getty -
Marcelo Brozovic of Al Nassr reacts after a chance goes begging. Getty -
Hilal's Salem Al Dawsari after missing a chance. AFP -
Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo and Kalidou Koulibaly of Al Hilal battle for a header. Getty -
Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoringhis first goal. Getty -
The Al Hilal starting XI before the game. Getty -
The Al Nassr side before the match. Getty
