Cristiano Ronaldo received a rapturous reception in Hong Kong on Tuesday as he helped Al Nassr to a 2-1 Saudi Super Cup victory over Al Ittihad, in stark contrast to the backlash Lionel Messi faced at the same venue last year.
The 40-year-old former Manchester United and Real Madrid legend set up the decisive goal, pulling clear of the defence before squaring for fellow Portuguese and Chelsea loanee Joao Felix to score.
Chants of “Ronaldo, Ronaldo” rang out from the warm-up onwards on a humid evening in southern China, with cheers greeting every touch of the Portuguese captain, who wore his iconic number seven shirt.
Several young fans attempted to invade the pitch in pursuit of selfies, but were stopped by security.
It marked a striking difference from February 2024, when Messi was loudly booed after failing to play in an Inter Miami friendly at the Hong Kong Stadium.
His absence, officially due to injury, led to refund demands and the cancellation of Argentina’s planned matches in China after he appeared days later in Japan.
Despite being in the twilight of their careers, both Ronaldo and Messi remain global icons, in Hong Kong, fans camped outside Ronaldo’s hotel, some even booking rooms to be closer to him, while a museum dedicated to the Portuguese forward opened last month.
Local media reported that Ronaldo was “emotional” about the support, telling fans: “This means more to me than any trophy.”
On the pitch, Sadio Mane gave Al Nassr an early lead before being sent off after a VAR review.
Karim Benzema’s Al Ittihad equalised soon after, but Ronaldo—denied by the goalkeeper and a free-kick just before half-time—ultimately made the difference with his second-half assist.
The win further cemented Ronaldo’s status as a fan favourite in Asia, where his enduring rivalry with Messi continues to draw headlines.
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