Al-Nassr play out 1-1 draw with Portuguese fourth-division side as Sadio Mane misses penalty in Cristiano Ronaldo's absence
Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr were held to a 1-1 draw by Portuguese fourth-division side Louletano DC on Sunday (July 14) in their first pre-season friendly. The Saudi club, missing their talismanic Portuguese forward, failed to deliver the goods with Sadio Mane missing a spot-kick.
Cristiano Ronaldo is yet to link up with his teammates following his involvement with Portugal at Euro 2024. The 39-year-old is currently on vacation after Portugal's quarter-final exit from the European Championship.
Al-Nassr had to come from behind to avoid a defeat in the friendly. The Portuguese club opened the scoring in the first half (40'), but a second-half goal (52') from forward Mohammed Maran restored parity for the Saudi side. Mane had an opportunity to shine in the encounter but skewed his spot kick in the closed-door friendly held in Ronaldo's home country, Portugal.
Ronaldo had a disappointing Euros outing. He failed to score a goal in a major tournament for the first time in his career, although gave one assist. Al-Nassr will next face Portuguese second-division side Maritimo in another pre-season game on Friday (July 19).
Al-Nassr set to offer Cristiano Ronaldo new lucrative deal
According to GOAL, Al-Nassr are planning to hand Cristiano Ronaldo a new deal that will keep him at the club past 2025. The Portuguese ace joined the Saudi club in 2023, signing a two-and-a-half-year deal reportedly worth a reported over £200 million per season.
Ronaldo has lived up to the billing since joining Al-Nassr. In his first season, he helped the club win the Arab Club Champions Cup, an unofficial friendly competition. Ronaldo has also broken into the top four of the club's all-time goalscorers with 58 goals and 15 assists in 64 games.
The former Manchester United superstar continues to perform at the highest level despite being 39 years old. In the 2023-24 season, he scored 44 goals and provided 13 assists in all competitions, breaking the Saudi Pro League single-season goalscoring record (35 goals).
Ronaldo will turn 40 next year, and the purported new deal would keep him in the Middle East until 2026. Reports from GOAL suggest that this new deal will come with a huge pay rise, potentially making it the most lucrative deal in football.