Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor, Qatar – On a picturesque autumn evening, the Al Bayt Stadium welcomed a sea of Football enthusiasts eager to witness the magic of Cristiano Ronaldo, one of the sport’s greatest icons.
The 39-year-old Portuguese forward, representing Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr, took to the pitch against Qatar’s Al Gharafa Sports Club in an Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League Elite Group B clash on Monday night.
Despite the venue being located 50 kilometers from Qatar’s bustling capital city, Doha, and the match kicking off at 7 PM local time, an impressive turnout of 37,000 fans—comprising 12% of Qatar’s total populace—filled the stadium. The draw was undeniable, as many fans, regardless of their allegiance, flocked to see the legendary player in action.
The crowd was a vibrant tapestry of supporters, with numerous children sporting replica jerseys from Ronaldo’s illustrious career, spanning his stints at Al Nassr, Real Madrid, Manchester United, and the Portugal national team.
Noufil Abdel Malik, a 12-year-old from Qatar, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “I have been a Ronaldo fan my whole life. I just wanted to see him and ask for his shirt.” Malik had strategically secured a spot behind the Al Nassr bench, holding a sign with his request.
While no shirts were tossed into the crowd, Ronaldo treated his fans to a dazzling display on the pitch, netting two goals as Al Nassr triumphed 3-1 over their opponents. This victory placed the Saudi side on the verge of advancing to the knockout stage, needing just two points from their remaining three group matches.
In his post-match interview, Ronaldo revealed the motivation he draws from his young fans: “It’s always my aim to make my fans happy, especially the kids. Their love for football inspires me to give my best—score goals and help my team win.” Even at the age of 39, with his 40th birthday on the horizon, the star forward’s passion for the game remains undiminished.
This match marked Ronaldo’s first return to Qatar since his appearance during the FIFA World Cup 2022, where he led Portugal to the quarterfinals. Reflecting on his return, Ronaldo said, “Being back in Qatar is always special. The passion of the fans is incredible, and I’m delighted to have added two more goals to my tally of 915 career goals. I’m heading back to Saudi Arabia a very happy man.”
Among the throngs of young supporters was eight-year-old Harshveer Singh, who couldn’t contain his excitement at witnessing Ronaldo live. “When I found out Ronaldo would be in Qatar, I begged my dad to bring me here,” he shared, proudly wearing the Al Nassr colors.
Even younger fans, like five-year-old Shahem al-Salem, could hardly contain their energy, captivated by Ronaldo’s signature celebration that drenched the stadium in excitement as shouts of “siu” echoed throughout. “I might skip school tomorrow,” Shahem said with a gleam in his eye, glancing at his father, who grinned in agreement.
As the match unfolded, the atmosphere was electric, with many in attendance showing unwavering support for Ronaldo regardless of their local team allegiance. Abdallah Abdel Razeq, an 18-year-old spectator from Lebanon, summed it up perfectly: “Ronaldo has a unique ability to draw fans from their homes and fill stadiums wherever he goes. I’d say at least 35,000 of the 37,000 were here just to see him play.”
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