Cristiano Ronaldo, the captain of Al-Nassr, received a warm reception in Iran during the first visit of a Saudi team to Iran since 2016, ahead of the start of the group stage of the Asian Champions League.
Al-Nassr will face the Iranian side Persepolis in Group E, while the Qatari team Al-Duhail will play against Istiklol Dushanbe from Tajikistan.
Fans crowded the streets, holding welcoming banners and images of Cristiano Ronaldo upon the arrival of the Saudi Arabian team in Iran following the restoration of relations between the two countries.
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) announced that matches between Saudi and Iranian teams follow the home-away pattern after an agreement between the two local federations.
Despite security personnel’s attempts to control the situation, supporters even invaded the team’s hotel. They enthusiastically chanted Ronaldo’s name, and children and women carried pictures of the Portugal captain.
Al-Nassr shared several photos of Ronaldo receiving a luxurious hand-made Iranian carpet from Persepolis supporters. The fans expressed their appreciation for Ronaldo’s presence in Iran with the gift.
