When Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema took to the sphere in Jeddah, the Saudi Professional League witnessed a spectacle that went far past the 90 minutes of soccer. As soon as teammates in Actual Madrid’s iconic ‘BBC’ trio, the 2 have been now on reverse sides of a rising rivalry—Ronaldo main Al-Nassr, Benzema on the helm of Al-Ittihad.
The stage was set on the King Abdullah Sports activities Metropolis for the season’s first true blockbuster, with each golf equipment arriving unbeaten and degree on the high of the standings. What unfolded was greater than a battle for factors—it was a declaration of intent. And when the mud settled, Al-Nassr had emerged victorious, fueled by targets from Sadio Mane and Ronaldo himself. However maybe much more impactful than the scoreline was the clear message Ronaldo despatched to his rivals after the ultimate whistle.
The tone was set early. Simply 9 minutes in, Kingsley Coman darted down the flank and whipped in a cross that was met with a thunderous volley by Sadio Mane, silencing the house crowd and giving Al-Nassr the lead. From there, the Riyadh membership seized management. Within the thirty fifth minute, Mane turned creator, lifting a fragile cross into the field for Ronaldo. Rising above the protection, the Portuguese striker powered a header previous goalkeeper Predrag Rajkovic to double the benefit.
Al-Ittihad, led by the veteran Frenchman, tried to reply, with Moussa Diaby and Steven Bergwijn carving out probabilities. However their ending fell brief, and the defending champions’ excellent begin to the marketing campaign got here to an abrupt finish. Whereas Ronaldo celebrated, Benzema endured a irritating night.
Coming back from harm, the French ahead appeared sharp in glimpses, linking up nicely with Bergwijn, however his aspect couldn’t discover a approach via. The defeat ended Laurent Blanc’s aspect’s 19-match unbeaten run at dwelling within the league, a streak that had been a supply of delight for the Jeddah trustworthy. For Benzema, it was a reminder that even along with his pedigree, Saudi Arabia’s quickly bettering competitors leaves little room for error.
Karim Benzema of Al Ittihad and Cristiano Ronaldo of Al Nassr prior the Saudi Professional League match between Al Ittihad and Al Nassr.
What did Ronaldo say after the sport?
Victory left the Riyadh outfit with an ideal report after 4 matches, three factors clear on the high of the desk. For a lot of, the outcome felt like a possible turning level within the season.
After which got here the phrases that set social media ablaze. Ronaldo, by no means shy of creating his emotions recognized, despatched out a fiery post-match message aimed not simply at Benzema, however at each rival in Saudi Arabia. “That is Al-Nassr! That is who we’re!” he declared.
The nine-word warning was as a lot about id because it was about ambition. For the 40-year-old veteran, the victory was proof that Al-Nassr and Jorge Jesus are able to reclaim their place as champions, with the membership having final lifted the Saudi Professional League trophy in 2019.
