Cristiano Ronaldo scores for Al Nassr after Portugal national team walkout

Cristiano Ronaldo returned to action for Al-Nassr on Friday and scored the opening goal in a 3-0 victory over Diriyah in the Saudi Pro League, according to Al Jazeera and the BBC. Sky Sports and The National reported that the match marked his return to club football following his walkout from the Portugal national team. The victory moved the defending champions level on points behind league leaders Al-Qadsiah on goal difference, Al Jazeera said. [1][4][5][7]

Sky Sports and The National noted that the goal was the 980th of Ronaldo's career. According to Al Jazeera, the 41-year-old scored during the eighth round of the Saudi Pro League season. His appearance for Al-Nassr came shortly after he abandoned the national squad during the recent international window. [1][4][7]

The dispute began during the international window when Ronaldo walked out of the Portugal camp before a match against Denmark in Copenhagen, as FTMQ News reported earlier. Al Jazeera and the Daily Mail both reported that Ronaldo released a long statement detailing his grievances, which followed a dispute with Portugal head coach Jorge Jesus. As FTMQ News reported earlier, Ronaldo accused Jesus of breaking his word twice, though the forward confirmed he is not retiring from international football and remains available for selection. He has scored 146 goals in 234 appearances for Portugal, Al Jazeera and FTMQ News noted. [1][2][12][13]

The walkout drew public criticism from former players and commentators. According to the Daily Mail, Jamie Carragher criticized Rio Ferdinand and Piers Morgan for defending Ronaldo, while Gary Neville stated that his former Manchester United teammate is difficult to like. Ronaldo spent his career establishing himself as the leading men's goalscorer in football history, having completed over 1,200 professional appearances across club and international competitions. [2][10]