‘I’m Portuguese but I belong to Saudi Arabia’: Ronaldo kisses Saudi emblem, celebrates with flag after 981st goal in emphatic 3-1 win for Al-Nassr

Ronaldo was seen kissing the Saudi emblem on his shirt and celebrating with a Saudi flag scarf after Al-Nassr won the AFC Champions League Elite 3-1 over Neftchi Fergana. Cristiano Ronaldo had another goal to celebrate on Monday, but what caught the eye was what he did with the Saudi flag after the final whistle. Captain Al-Nassr kissed the country’s emblem before kick-off, then draped a Saudi flag scarf over his shoulders as he joined the fans in celebration after the 3-1 victory over Uzbekistan’s Neftchi Fergana. The gesture came amid heightened tensions in Riyadh and days after Portugal indicated it wanted to welcome him back.

Ronaldo’s Saudi flag gesture comes amid regional tensions

Ronaldo scored his 981st career goal in Al-Nassr’s 3-1 win in the second round of the AFC Champions League Elite, but his connection to Saudi Arabia was evident even before the game started.Cameras captured the 41-year-old kissing the Saudi emblem on Al-Nassr’s shirt, which features a palm tree and crossed swords. After the final whistle, he asked supporters for a Saudi flag scarf, slung it around his shoulders and joined in the team’s famous Viking clap celebration.Riyadh was on high alert following deadly Houthi missile attacks on King Khalid International Airport over the weekend. Monday’s match was delayed for an hour after the security alert was issued in the Saudi capital before the teams finally took the field.Al-Nassr opened the scoring through Angel Gabriel before Ronaldo struck in the 42nd minute. Neftchi Fergana pulled a goal back early in the second half through Alisher Odilov, but defender Buyan Siger’s own goal restored Al-Nassr’s two-goal advantage and secured victory.The club’s official Arabic account subsequently shared a clip of Ronaldo in Saudi colours, along with the message: “I’m Portuguese but I belong to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.”However, these words were not a new declaration, as Ronaldo originally made it in June 2025 during an interview with Al-Nassr’s official media after extending his contract until 2027. The club’s English-language account also shared a photo of the celebration with the caption: “A piece of Saudi Arabia, carried close to the heart.”

Portugal want Ronaldo back after international row

The timing of Ronaldo’s gesture is particularly interesting as his international future has recently become uncertain following his departure from Portugal’s national team camp.Ronaldo left the team in September after falling out with head coach Jorge Jesus, later accusing the manager of breaking his word on playing time. The Portuguese Football Federation subsequently opened disciplinary proceedings and imposed a provisional suspension pending an investigation into the case.However, federation president Pedro Proença publicly downplayed the situation on 10 October, saying Portugal wanted their captain back for the November international window. Jesus also hinted that Ronaldo would be welcome provided he stays fit, continues to play for Al-Nassr and wants to represent his country.

FILE – Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo (7) leads his team’s players onto the field to warm up before their World Cup soccer Group K match against Colombia in Miami Gardens, Florida, June 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell, File)

Ronaldo returned to club action on 9 October, scoring his 980th career goal in Al-Nassr’s 3–0 win over Diriyah Club. His strike against Neftchi Fergana took his tally to 981, leaving him 19 goals short of the 1,000 goal milestone.The forward has also made it clear that he remains willing to play for Portugal after serving any suspension provided he is physically fit and continues to score for his club. With the federation now expressing a desire for reconciliation, November could offer an opportunity for Ronaldo to resume international duty if the disciplinary process allows.For now, his latest appearance was about more than another goal, as the gesture of the Saudi flag offered a reminder of the affection he has publicly expressed for the country he has called home since January 2023.