Ronaldo returns after Portugal quarrel to score in Al-Nassr win

What the report says

Cristiano Ronaldo returned to club action on Friday and scored as Al-Nassr beat Diriyah 3-0 in the Saudi Pro League, according to Al Jazeera. It was his first match since a contentious international break with Portugal, during which he walked out of the national squad. The result came in the league’s eighth round and kept the defending champions level on points with leaders Al-Qadsiah, trailing only on goal difference.

Al Jazeera reported that Ronaldo opened the scoring midway through the first half after Kingsley Coman’s shot was blocked and the rebound fell to him in front of goal. The strike was described as the 41-year-old forward’s 980th career goal. Samu Costa doubled Al-Nassr’s lead before halftime, and Coman added a third late in the match.

The article said Ronaldo’s Portugal future remains uncertain after he publicly criticized coach Jorge Jesus in a statement earlier in the week, saying the coach had not been honest about when he would use him in the Nations League. Contextually, Ronaldo has been one of Portugal’s most decorated players, while Al-Nassr continue to contend near the top of the Saudi league with Jesus now on the club bench and Ange Postecoglou coaching the team, as reported by Al Jazeera.