It’s been three years but Cristiano Ronaldo has finally managed to fire home another free-kick – and it could be vital to his Al Nassr title hopes.
He may well be famed for his iconic stance pre-strike but his 30-yard effort in a 2-1 comeback win over Abha, was his first since July 2020 when he netted for Juventus against Torino.
The set-piece goal levelled the scores with 12 minutes to go in the Saudi Pro League clash as his new club threatened to fall further behind leader Al Itthad.
Al Nassr had lost to their title rival in their previous match, seeing them leapfroged at the top of the table.
But Ronaldo’s strike, and then an Anderson Talisca winner from the penalty spot four minutes from time ensured they are just one point behind now in second place with nine games to go.
It caps a decent end to the week for Ronaldo as he was called up for the Portugal national team.
The 38-year-old was, controversially, in and out his nation’s team at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
They were knocked out in the quarter-finals by Morocco with Ronaldo scoring just once in three starts and two substitute appearances.
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This could have been the curtain call on his career with the Navigators.
But new boss Roberto Martinez has included him in his next group for UEFA 2024 qualifiers with Liechenstein and Luxembourg.