Al Nassr vs Al Etiffaq: Ronaldo Fires Blank on Official Debut in Saudi Arabia

• Cristiano Ronaldo fired blank despite a winning start to his Saudi Arabia sojourn
• The 37-year-old uncharacteristically failed to score in his club debut for Al-Nassr
• Anderson Talisca scored the only goal to seal a close win for the Riyadh-based club

Cristiano Ronaldo drew blank in his competitive debut, as Al-Nassr pipped Al-Etiffaq to seal a narrow 1-0 victory on Sunday.

Ronaldo had previously bagged a brace in his first game on Saudi Arabian soil, when a select side from Al-Nassr and Al-Hilal played out an enthralling nine-goal thriller against Paris Saint-Germain.

The 37-year-old had seen his club debut delayed, due to a two-game ban handed to him during his previous stint with Manchester United.

The long-awaited moment then unfurled before the eyes of the teeming Al-Nassr fans, who had thronged the Mrsool Park to watch the Portuguese superstar, per Besoccer.

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Football

However, Ronaldo could not produce his iconic 'Siuuu' celebration, as he fired blank in a narrow win for his side.

Regardless, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner enjoyed his first official game, producing a splendid overall performance to aid his side in picking up valuable points at home.

The win sends Ronaldo's Al-Nassr to the summit of the Saudi top flight, a point above local rivals Al-Hilal, GOAL reports.

What's next for Ronaldo?

The Real Madrid legend will be expected to feature in what promises to be a blockbuster fixture against Al-Ittihad in the Saudi Cup on Thursday, January 26.

Winning Saudi start for Ronaldo

Ronaldo made a winning start to life in the Saudi Pro League, as he led Al-Nassr to a 1-0 victory over Al-Ettifaq on Sunday in his first match since becoming the best-paid footballer in history.

Al-Nassr coach confirms when Ronaldo will debut in Saudi Arabia

Football

The Portuguese superstar took time to get going but there were promising signs for his new club, which is eyeing domestic and continental silverware, Sports Brief reported.

However, Ronaldo's league debut had an anticlimactic feel in front of 22,862 fans, failing to find the back of the net as he had done in the lively 5-4 exhibition defeat to PSG.

Haaland shatters Ronaldo's EPL record

Meanwhile, Sports Brief also reported that Erling Haaland has now scored more hat-tricks than Ronaldo in the Premier League.

The Norwegian has enjoyed a bright star to life in the English top flight, since his summer move to the Etihad Stadium from Borussia Dortmund.

The youngster's spectacular run of form has seen him shatter records and equal others in just 20 Premier League outings.