This triumph not only marked a pivotal win but also etched a significant milestone in the illustrious career of the Portuguese football sensation – a historic record of 1000 unbeaten matches.
Ronaldo’s Heartfelt Gesture:
Before stepping onto the pitch, Ronaldo displayed a touching act of kindness by visiting Iranian artist Fatemeh Hamami. Hamami, aged 34, has endured an 85% physical disability due to complications during childbirth.
However, her indomitable spirit led her to pursue art from a young age, using both her feet to paint. In an expression of admiration for Ronaldo, she presented him with two handcrafted portraits.
The Banned Spectators:
The match unfolded at Tehran’s Azadi Stadium, with an impressive capacity of 78,000 spectators.
However, a lingering penalty from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) stemming from inappropriate social media posts in 2020 prevented fans from entering the stadium. Despite this adversity, tens of thousands of fervent supporters gathered outside Azadi Stadium, their voices echoing as they chanted Ronaldo’s name in unison, adding an electric atmosphere to the evening.
Al Nassr’s Star-Studded Lineup:
As customary for Al Nassr, they fielded a formidable lineup boasting an array of top-tier talents. The team’s five foreign players, including Cristiano Ronaldo, Sadio Mane, Aymeric Laporte, Otavio, and Marcelo Brozovic, all earned spots in the starting XI. Conversely, the Persepolis side had Georgian defender Giorgi Gvelesiani as their sole foreign player.
Ronaldo’s Performance:
In his debut AFC Champions League match, Ronaldo remained actively involved, amassing 27 touches throughout his 89 minutes on the pitch. However, it was not all smooth sailing as Ronaldo lost possession 11 times, a statistic that left room for improvement.
Persepolis’ defenders closely marked Al Nassr’s captain, forcing him to frequently drop deep. Ronaldo’s most significant contribution came when he drew a red card from Persepolis’ midfielder Milad Sarlak in the 52nd minute, shifting the dynamics of the game.
Limited Shooting Opportunities:
Statistical data from SofaScore indicates that Ronaldo managed only two shots during his time on the field, marking his lowest shot count since joining Al Nassr.
The most promising opportunity presented itself in the 20th minute when Marcelo Brozovic delivered an impeccable cross into Persepolis’ penalty area. Regrettably, despite finding himself in a comfortable position, Ronaldo’s shot was aimed directly at the awaiting gloves of goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand. Ronaldo’s overall performance garnered a rating of 6.1, the lowest among Al Nassr players in the match.
Victory Despite Ronaldo’s Challenges:
Despite Ronaldo’s less-than-stellar performance, Al Nassr emerged victorious with a 2-0 win. Abdulrahman Ghareeb and Mohammed Qassem found the back of the net in the 62nd and 72nd minutes, respectively, securing a triumphant away victory for Al Nassr.
Ronaldo’s Historic Milestone:
This victory with Al Nassr marked Cristiano Ronaldo’s 1000th unbeaten match in his illustrious career, a staggering total consisting of 776 wins and 224 draws.
After the match, the Portuguese football icon expressed his gratitude, stating, “It feels absolutely fantastic to secure the win today! I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to the fans and the people of Iran for their unwavering support during this match. The warm welcome and the achievement of this special record mean the world to me.”
Al Nassr Tops Group E:
With this convincing 2-0 victory over Persepolis, Al Nassr claimed the top spot in Group E, surpassing Al Duhail, led by Argentine football legend Hernan Crespo, by a comfortable two-point margin. In the second round of matches, Cristiano Ronaldo and his teammates will return to the confines of Mrsool Park, their home ground, to face the same formidable opponent once again, in what promises to be another exhilarating clash in the AFC Champions League.
