Cristiano Ronaldo is certainly enjoying life out in Saudi Arabia.
Goals have been very easy to come by for the five-time Ballon d’Or winner at Al-Nassr, with his latest for the club coming on Saturday.
And guess what? It was a free-kick stunner by Ronaldo, which has been something of a rarity for him in recent years.
In his first spell at Manchester United, set-piece magic was a regular occurrence – just ask former Portsmouth goalkeeper David James.
We’re not really sure why his magnificence in the department disappeared at a rather rapid pace.
But it’s safe to say Ronaldo ended his free-kick drought in the most spectacular of fashion at Mrsool Park.
In Al-Nassr’s league match against Abha, the Portuguese levelled the scores at 1-1 with a rocket from a long, long way out.
Remember Ronaldo’s free-kick against Arsenal in the 2008/09 Champions League semi-final second leg? Of course you do, and it was nearly the mirror image of that masterpiece, albeit from a more central position.
Let’s take a look at the wonderful goal from the Manchester united legend…
Video: Ronaldo’s first free-kick goal for Al-Nassr
🔥 Cristiano Ronaldo scores a 35-yard free kick for Al Nassr!
👊 Rolling back the years!
🎥: @SPL pic.twitter.com/U2cBCXjN61
— GiveMeSport (@GiveMeSport) March 18, 2023
CRISTIANO RONALDO FREEKICK GOAL! pic.twitter.com/TOYGGGU7ya
— TC (@totalcristiano) March 18, 2023
Oh. My. Word.
A Ronaldo rocket to savour, which was his eighth goal in as many Saudi Pro League games.
Al-Nassr moved into a 2-1 lead shortly after the 38-year-old’s set-piece heroics, Anderson Talisca succesfully converting from the penalty spot in the 86th minute.
The fact Ronaldo allowed the Brazilian star to take the spot kick further dispels the myth that he is a ‘selfish footballer’.
He’s not, he’s just bloody brilliant at the beautiful game.
Ronaldo’s free-kick and Talisca’s penalty mean Al-Nassr remain just a point behind league leaders, Al-Ittihad.
Man Utd spat over Casemiro ‘leg breaker’ erupts as Paul Merson and Michael Dawson clash
Casemiro will now serve a four-match ban for Manchester United following his red card against Southampton.
Sky Sports pundits Paul Merson and Michael Dawson were in disagreement over Casemiro’s straight red card against Southampton as the debate over his four-match domestic ban threatens to rumble on. The Brazilian received his marching orders last Sunday following a VAR check after his studs crashed into the shin of Saints attacking midfielder Carlos Alcaraz, who was left slumped on the turf in agony.
The red card was Casemiro’s second in as many months resulting in an increased suspension – straight reds usually result in three-match bans – for the defensive midfielder, who will miss the FA Cup quarter-final with Fulham plus Premier League matches against Newcastle, Brentford and Everton.
But Merson feels as though Casemiro and United were hard done by as the officials should have taken the wet pitch into consideration when reviewing the incident.
“Sometimes you’ve got to use common sense. Casemiro’s one, it’s a wet pitch, his foot has rolled over the ball. He hasn’t missed it. You can’t help that,” Merson said on Soccer Saturday.
“Any other day his studs are bang on the ball and he carries on and it will be alright.
The red card was Casemiro’s second in as many months resulting in an increased suspension – straight reds usually result in three-match bans – for the defensive midfielder, who will miss the FA Cup quarter-final with Fulham plus Premier League matches against Newcastle, Brentford and Everton.
But Merson feels as though Casemiro and United were hard done by as the officials should have taken the wet pitch into consideration when reviewing the incident.
Tim Sherwood names Man Utd ‘saviour’ to resolve Casemiro suspension crisis
Manchester United will be without Casemiro for their next four domestic matches following his red card against Southampton last weekend.
Tim Sherwood believes Scott McTominay has what it takes to be Manchester United’s saviour in their next four matches without Casemiro. The Brazilian anchorman was close to tears last Sunday when he received a straight red card following a VAR check which did not approve of his high tackle on Southampton’s Carlos Alcaraz.
As Casemiro was also sent off in early February for raising in his hands to Crystal Palace’s Will Hughes, he has now been slapped with an extra game suspension in addition to his three-match ban.
It means he will now miss the FA Cup quarter-final against Fulham this weekend in addition to Premier League fixtures against Newcastle, Brentford and Everton.
In the view of former Tottenham and Aston Villa boss Sherwood, McTominay has all the tools required to fill the void of the former Real Madrid man at the base of United’s midfield.
He said on Sky Sports’ Soccer Saturday: “Every game is a big game name now. You have teams fighting for survival and Newcastle chasing the top four.
“He’s [Casemiro] is a huge miss, it’s not only about what he gives you as a player but it’s the character in and around the dressing room.
“We touched on it a couple of weeks ago, this kid has come to United with a desire to win things that I didn’t think he would come with.
“He’s quality as well, he has a passing range. It’s up to somebody to come and step in now.
“I think McTominay might be the answer, I really do. He’s been restricted by a lack of game time but if you give him a plan, like this manager certainly has of just staying where you are, trying to break things up, sticking to a real basic role which I think he can do, then I think he’s capable of filling in.