Cristiano Ronaldo was given a hero's welcome on Tuesday as he played a pivotal role for Al Nassr in the Saudi Super Cup semi-final in Hong Kong – where his great rival Lionel Messi became public enemy number one last year for failing to play.
The 40-year-old former Manchester United and Real Madrid forward Ronaldo claimed an assist in his side's 2-1 win over Al Ittihad, who boasted French veteran striker Karim Benzema up front. They will play the winner of Wednesday's game between Al Ahli and Al Qadisiyah in Saturday's final.
“Ronaldo, Ronaldo,” rang out from the stands from the moment that he emerged to warm up on a hot and damp evening at the Hong Kong Stadium.
Loud cheers went up every time the Portuguese captain, wearing his trademark number seven shirt, touched the ball.
It was all a far cry from the outrage Messi sparked when he remained on the bench for the duration of an Inter Miami friendly at the same venue in February last year.
The Argentine legend's no-show drew boos and calls for refunds from thousands of fans who had paid large sums to see the World Cup-winning captain play.
The 38-year-old said he was injured but that failed to quell a spectacular fallout that saw China subsequently cancel two friendly matches featuring Argentina.
Some politicians and outlets in China portrayed Messi's absence – and his later appearance at a similar match in Japan – as a snub.
Both Messi and Ronaldo remain hugely popular and marketable even in the twilight of their careers, with fans camping outside Ronaldo's hotel in Hong Kong in recent days hoping to catch a glimpse of him.
Some even booked rooms in the hotel and a museum dedicated to him opened in the city last month.
Local media said that Ronaldo was “emotional” when told during a brief appearance there this week about the local interest, especially from younger fans.
“This means more to me than any trophy,” he was quoted as saying.
On the pitch, former Liverpool attacker Sadio Mane put Al Nassr ahead before Al Ittihad struck back soon after through former PSV, Ajax and Tottenham player Steven Bergwijn.
Mane was sent off after 25 minutes following a VAR review.
Ronaldo had a couple of sniffs of goal before the break but was denied on both occasions, then he fizzed a free-kick narrowly over the bar.
He set up the winner, pulling clear of the Al Ittihad defence and squaring it for fellow Portuguese Joao Felix, a new signing from Chelsea, to slot home.
A young fan with a “Ronaldo 7" shirt invaded the pitch as the veteran was subbed off in the last minute but security foiled the his attempt to grab a selfie.
Two more fans were wrestled to the ground after the final whistle when they invaded the pitch and made a beeline for Ronaldo.
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs: 2019 Haval H6
Price, base: Dh69,900
Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 197hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque: 315Nm @ 2,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 7.0L / 100km
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
New UK refugee system
- A new “core protection” for refugees moving from permanent to a more basic, temporary protection
- Shortened leave to remain - refugees will receive 30 months instead of five years
- A longer path to settlement with no indefinite settled status until a refugee has spent 20 years in Britain
- To encourage refugees to integrate the government will encourage them to out of the core protection route wherever possible.
- Under core protection there will be no automatic right to family reunion
- Refugees will have a reduced right to public funds
The%20Roundup
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COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
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The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
German intelligence warnings
- 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
- 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
- 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250
Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution
Libya's Gold
UN Panel of Experts found regime secretly sold a fifth of the country's gold reserves.
The panel’s 2017 report followed a trail to West Africa where large sums of cash and gold were hidden by Abdullah Al Senussi, Qaddafi’s former intelligence chief, in 2011.
Cases filled with cash that was said to amount to $560m in 100 dollar notes, that was kept by a group of Libyans in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
A second stash was said to have been held in Accra, Ghana, inside boxes at the local offices of an international human rights organisation based in France.
Match info
Bournemouth 0
Liverpool 4 (Salah 25', 48', 76', Cook 68' OG)
Man of the match: Andrew Robertson (Liverpool)
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylturbo
Transmission: seven-speed DSG automatic
Power: 242bhp
Torque: 370Nm
Price: Dh136,814
