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Cristiano Ronaldo watched from the bench due to suspension, as his Al Nassr teammates recorded an important win over Al Fayhaa to book a place in the Champions League.
Cristiano Ronaldo praised his Al Nassr teammates after they secured a place in next season's AFC Champions League with an impressive 3-1 win over Al Fayhaa on Friday night.
The Portuguese star was suspended from the decisive match in the Saudi Professional League, but he watched from the sidelines as Al-Nassr, inspired by African stars Sadio Mane and Abdel-Ilah Al-Amiri, came back from a goal down to take the three points.
Sadio Mane proved decisive in Al Nassr's come from behind to achieve their fifth successive victory over Al Fayhaa and their Nigerian stars without Cristiano Ronaldo.
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Manchester United midfielder and former teammate Cristiano Ronaldo Casemiro has drawn comparisons between the Portuguese and Kylian Mbappe.
Ronaldo is happy with his teammates in Al-Nasr
It was Zambian striker Fashion Sakala who put the visitors ahead after just six minutes by scoring brilliantly after great work from Nigerian striker Anthony Nwakami.
However, Mane took center stage in the second half after initially missing from 12 yards, scoring twice to turn the game on its head after Ameri canceled out Sakala's opener to ensure Al Nassr secured a top-four league finish and a ticket to the Champions League.
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Al-Nasr star Cristiano Ronaldo was suspended from the match. || X
It is clear that Ronaldo took to Instagram after the final whistle to congratulate his teammates, and posted “Well done team” on his stories.
The 39-year-old talisman will no doubt relish the prospect of leading the Saudi giants to Asia's premier club competition next season.
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Sadio Mane has also proven to be a target for Al-Fayha and their African connection. (Image source: Mani/X)
With the likes of Mane, Ameri and Brazilian midfielder Marcelo Brozovic also in the squad, Al Nassr will be interested in making a deep run in the prestigious tournament.
Qualifying for the Champions League caps Ronaldo's impressive second season in the Middle East after his controversial exit from Manchester United.
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Cristiano Ronaldo posted his IG stories after the match.
Ronaldo scored 29 goals and assisted 10 others in 25 matches with Al-Nasr in the Saudi Professional League this season.
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