SADIO MANE made his debut as Cristiano Ronaldo’s new striker last night – but it was the legendary Portuguese star who stole the show with a trademark header.
The 38-year-old scored the 840th goal of his career to help Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr book their place in the Arab Club Champions Cup quarter-finals.
2Cristiano Ronaldo rescued Al-Nassr with a late goal last nightCredit: Getty
2The Portuguese forward produced a brilliant trademark header to equalise late onCredit: Getty
The Real Madrid and Manchester United icon broke his pre-season drought against Al-Monastir as his team romped to a 4-1 win on Monday.
And he did not have to wait too much longer to net his second of the tournament against Egyptian opponents Zamalek yesterday.
Al-Nassr were trailing at the King Fafd Stadium in Ta’if courtesy of a penalty from Zamalek’s Zizo.
That had moved their opponents into the second group qualifying spot but Ronaldo pounced in familiar fashion to rescue a 1-1 draw with just four minutes remaining.
He leapt above everybody to meet a cross from the left and bullet a header straight passed goalkeeper Mohamed Sobhi.
And not only was it enough to lift Al-Nassr above their rivals and into the knockouts, it was also the 300th goal that Ronaldo had scored not using his favoured right foot.
As the clip of his latest goal went viral, fans soon took to Twitter to hail the superstar, with one asking: “What’s more exciting than a Ronaldo bullet header?”
Another hailed him as “the saviour” after he rescued Al-Nassr, with another saying: “Look at that trademark Cristiano Ronaldo leap.”
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The club have moved to bring in some reinforcements to help Ronaldo in attack as Mane became the latest big-name to head to Saudi.
The ex-Liverpool forward, 31, left Bayern Munich after just a year to join Al-Nassr and he made his bow from the bench.
Meanwhile, it is his new strike partner Ronaldo that is claiming the responsibility for the influx of top talents to the Saudi Pro League.
He said recently: “I’m 100 per cent sure I won’t return to any European club.
“I opened the way to the Saudi league and now all the players are coming here.”
Al-Nassr start their league season on August 14 against Steven Gerrard’s side Al-Ettifaq – which will also see Mane come up against ex-Liverpool pal Jordan Henderson.
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