Cristiano Ronaldo found the net on his comeback to club football following his Portugal dispute, while Al-Nassr supporters displayed a banner in support of their striker.
The 41-year-old departed the national team camp midway through the four-match Nations League break, having stayed an unused substitute in the game against Norway.
Ronaldo insists he has not retired from international football, yet he accused Portugal manager Jorge Jesus, who previously coached him at Al-Nassr, of an “absolute breach of trust.”
Ahead of the Saudi Pro League match against Diriyah, home supporters revealed a large banner reading ‘greatness is earned, CR7, all-time top scorer in football history.’
The seasoned forward then struck his team’s opening goal in the 23rd minute, converting a rebound after Kingsley Coman’s effort had been kept out.
That strike was the 980th of Ronaldo’s career, spanning his time at Portugal, Sporting, Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus, and Al-Nassr.
He has set his sights on becoming the first player ever to score 1,000 goals in official matches.
Of those goals, 146 have come in 234 appearances for his country both records for men’s international football.
Samu Costa nodded in Joao Felix’s corner to claim Al-Nassr’s second goal, and former Bayern Munich winger Coman burst through to add a third in the 77th minute.
