Dubai: Cristiano Ronaldo led the Al Nassr fans to a Viking Clap celebration after his late penalty earned the club a 2-1 win over Al-Tai on Friday.
With the score tied at 1-1 in the 87th minute, Ronaldo would step in to take a penalty and sent the keeper the wrong way to put his team in front. It was also the Portuguese talisman’s 10th goal of the season and Al Nassr’s sixth straight win.
After the match, Ronaldo would celebrate with his teammates and fans with the Thunderclap celebration which was made famous by the Iceland supporters during their Euro 2016 campaign, a competition that was won by Portugal.
A beaming Ronaldo would wink at the camera before the first clap as the fans and his teammates joined in the celebrations.
The win put Al Nassr, who had begun the campaign with back to back losses, just 2 points behind league leaders Al Hilal.
A week ago, hundreds of football fans had descended on the streets of Tehran on Monday, hoping for a glimpse of Ronaldo after he arrived with his Saudi teammates ahead of the AFC Champions league game against Persepolis.
Ronaldo’s move to Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr in January 2023 was met with unprecedented excitement from fans all over the country. Upon his arrival in Tehran, supporters started chanting “Ronaldo, Ronaldo,” and pushed past police, filling the corridors and public spaces of the Espians Palace Hotel.
It was Ronaldo’s first visit to Iran with Al Nassr. His fan frenzy is more than just a celebration of his athletic achievements. It is also a reflection of his global appeal and his status as a cultural icon.
Agencies