• Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates on his debut for Al Nassr with teammate Anderson Talisca, who scored the winner in the 1-0 Saudi Pro League victory over Al Ettifaq at Mrsool Park, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on January 22, 2023. Reuters
    Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates on his debut for Al Nassr with teammate Anderson Talisca, who scored the winner in the 1-0 Saudi Pro League victory over Al Ettifaq at Mrsool Park, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on January 22, 2023. Reuters
  • Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates with Anderson Talisca, who scored Al Nassr's winner against Al Ettifaq. Reuters
    Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates with Anderson Talisca, who scored Al Nassr's winner against Al Ettifaq. Reuters
  • Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates with Anderson Talisca. Reuters
    Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates with Anderson Talisca. Reuters
  • Cristiano Ronaldo makes a run on his Al Nassr debut. Getty
    Cristiano Ronaldo makes a run on his Al Nassr debut. Getty
  • Cristiano Ronaldo in action for Al Nassr against Al Ettifaq. Reuters
    Cristiano Ronaldo in action for Al Nassr against Al Ettifaq. Reuters
  • Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates Anderson Talisca's winning goal. Reuters
    Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates Anderson Talisca's winning goal. Reuters
  • Cristiano Ronaldo of Al Nassr runs with the ball. Getty
    Cristiano Ronaldo of Al Nassr runs with the ball. Getty
  • Cristiano Ronaldo of Al Nassr during the game at Mrsool Park Stadium. Getty
    Cristiano Ronaldo of Al Nassr during the game at Mrsool Park Stadium. Getty
  • Cristiano Ronaldo of Al Nassr during the game against Al Ittifaq. Getty
    Cristiano Ronaldo of Al Nassr during the game against Al Ittifaq. Getty
  • Cristiano Ronaldo reacts during the Saudi Pro League match between Al Nassr and Al Ittifaq. Getty
    Cristiano Ronaldo reacts during the Saudi Pro League match between Al Nassr and Al Ittifaq. Getty
  • Al Nassr's Anderson Talisca celebrates scoring their winner with Cristiano Ronaldo. Reuters
    Al Nassr's Anderson Talisca celebrates scoring their winner with Cristiano Ronaldo. Reuters
  • Al Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo fights for the ball. AP
    Al Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo fights for the ball. AP
  • All Nassr's Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo checks on teammate Pity Martinez during the game. AFP
    All Nassr's Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo checks on teammate Pity Martinez during the game. AFP
  • Cristiano Ronaldo of Al Nassr before kick-off. Getty
    Cristiano Ronaldo of Al Nassr before kick-off. Getty
  • Cristiano Ronaldo of Al Nassr leads the team out for the game against Al Ittifaq. Getty
    Cristiano Ronaldo of Al Nassr leads the team out for the game against Al Ittifaq. Getty
  • Al Nassr's Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo takes a shot. AFP
    Al Nassr's Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo takes a shot. AFP
  • Cristiano Ronaldo of Al Nassr during the game. Getty
    Cristiano Ronaldo of Al Nassr during the game. Getty
  • Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates Al Nassr's winner with teammates. AFP
    Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates Al Nassr's winner with teammates. AFP
  • Cristiano Ronaldo takes a free-kick during. AFP
    Cristiano Ronaldo takes a free-kick during. AFP
  • Cristiano Ronaldo dribbles with the ball. AFP
    Cristiano Ronaldo dribbles with the ball. AFP
  • Al Nassr's Anderson Talisca celebrates scoring their winner with Ali Al Lajami and Cristiano Ronaldo. Reuters
    Al Nassr's Anderson Talisca celebrates scoring their winner with Ali Al Lajami and Cristiano Ronaldo. Reuters
  • Al Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo reacts during the match. EPA
    Al Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo reacts during the match. EPA
  • Al Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo wins a header. EPA
    Al Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo wins a header. EPA
  • Al Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo greets supporters ahead of the match against Al Ettifaq. AFP
    Al Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo greets supporters ahead of the match against Al Ettifaq. AFP
  • Al Nassr forward Cristiano Ronaldo battles at a corner-kick. AFP
    Al Nassr forward Cristiano Ronaldo battles at a corner-kick. AFP
  • Cristiano Ronaldo of Al Nassr before the game. Getty
    Cristiano Ronaldo of Al Nassr before the game. Getty
  • A supporter of Al Nassr with a Cristiano Ronaldo shirt. AFP
    A supporter of Al Nassr with a Cristiano Ronaldo shirt. AFP
  • Al Nassr fans sit under a giant poster of Cristiano Ronaldo. AP
    Al Nassr fans sit under a giant poster of Cristiano Ronaldo. AP
  • A fan of Al Nassr's holds up a Cristiano Ronaldo poster before the match. Reuters
    A fan of Al Nassr's holds up a Cristiano Ronaldo poster before the match. Reuters
  • A fan Al Nassr with a Cristiano Ronaldo banner. Getty
    A fan Al Nassr with a Cristiano Ronaldo banner. Getty

Cristiano Ronaldo 'happy' to finally make Al Nassr bow, says coach Rudi Garcia


John McAuley
  • English
  • Arabic

Al Nassr manager Rudi Garcia said Cristiano Ronaldo was happy to finally make his debut for the club, but said they must ensure the forward is in his best shape to maximise his talent.

The former Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus star captained Nassr on his first appearance for the Saudi Pro League side, helping his new team to a 1-0 victory against Al Ettifaq at Mrsool Park on Sunday night. Brazilian Anderson Taslica got the game’s only goal, on 30 minutes.

However, the majority of attention was on Ronaldo following last month’s hugely lucrative move to Saudi football. The Portugal captain, a free agent having in November left United by mutual consent, signed a two-and-a-half-year deal with Nassr understood to be worth more than $200 million per year.

Speaking after the win that took Nassr, nine-time Saudi champions, back to the top of the table, Garcia said: “Everyone knows Cristiano – he’s a five-time Ballon d’Or winner. He’s one of the best players in the history of football.

“It’s up to us to make sure we get him in the best condition. I want him to enjoy playing here and tonight he was happy to play for the first time.”

Ronaldo, 37, showed plenty of endeavour on Sunday night as he led the Nassr attack with Talisca and Argentine Pity Martinez playing either side. Yet he only once troubled Ettifaq goalkeeper Paulo Victor, forcing the Brazilian into a low save with 12 minutes remaining.

Still, the victory lifted Nassr back to the standings' summit, one point ahead of city rivals and reigning champions Al Hilal – although Hilal have played a match more (15). Last champions in 2019, Nassr's next game is against third-placed Al Ittihad on Thursday, albeit in the Saudi Super Cup.

On Ronaldo settling into the team, Garcia said: “It’s very important for the players to play normally and not always try to give the ball to Cristiano. I told them they need to make the right choices on the pitch.

"Obviously when Cristiano or Talisca are alone and asking for the ball we need to give them the ball. These two players are able to make the difference.

“Tonight, I think that sometimes we had good positions to cross but not enough people in the box – and sometimes no Ronaldo and no Talisca.

“We need to work on that, to have one of them in the box and maybe the other playing outside the box.”

  • Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoring the second goal for Riyadh All-Stars against PSG at the King Fahd University Stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on January 19, 2023. AP
    Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoring the second goal for Riyadh All-Stars against PSG at the King Fahd University Stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on January 19, 2023. AP
  • Lionel Messi is congratulated by his PSG teammates after opening the scoring.
    Lionel Messi is congratulated by his PSG teammates after opening the scoring.
  • Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoring the first goal for Riyadh All-Stars. AP
    Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoring the first goal for Riyadh All-Stars. AP
  • Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoring Riyadh All-Stars' first goal. AFP
    Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoring Riyadh All-Stars' first goal. AFP
  • Kylian Mbappe scores the fourth goal for PSG. AFP
    Kylian Mbappe scores the fourth goal for PSG. AFP
  • Riyadh All-Star's South Korean defender Jang Hyun-soo levels at 3-3. AFP
    Riyadh All-Star's South Korean defender Jang Hyun-soo levels at 3-3. AFP
  • Cristiano Ronaldo takes a throw-in. Photo: General Entertainment Authority
    Cristiano Ronaldo takes a throw-in. Photo: General Entertainment Authority
  • Cristiano Ronaldo prepares to take a penalty. Photo: General Entertainment Authority
    Cristiano Ronaldo prepares to take a penalty. Photo: General Entertainment Authority
  • Cristiano Ronaldo scores from the penalty spot for the Riyadh All-Stars. Photo: General Entertainment Authority
    Cristiano Ronaldo scores from the penalty spot for the Riyadh All-Stars. Photo: General Entertainment Authority
  • Cristiano Ronaldo in action against Paris Saint-Germain. AFP
    Cristiano Ronaldo in action against Paris Saint-Germain. AFP
  • PSG forward Lionel Messi next to long-time rival, Riyadh All-Star's Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo. AFP
    PSG forward Lionel Messi next to long-time rival, Riyadh All-Star's Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo. AFP
  • Cristiano Ronaldo greets Riyadh All-Stars' Argentinian coach Marcelo Gallardo after being substituted. AFP
    Cristiano Ronaldo greets Riyadh All-Stars' Argentinian coach Marcelo Gallardo after being substituted. AFP
  • Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates his team's third goal. AFP
    Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates his team's third goal. AFP
  • Riyadh All-Star's Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo takes a shot. AFP
    Riyadh All-Star's Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo takes a shot. AFP
  • PSG's Kylian Mbappe greets Cristiano Ronaldo. AFP
    PSG's Kylian Mbappe greets Cristiano Ronaldo. AFP
  • Cristiano Ronaldo grimaces. AP
    Cristiano Ronaldo grimaces. AP
  • PSG's Hugo Ekitike (l) celebrates after scoring their fifth. AP
    PSG's Hugo Ekitike (l) celebrates after scoring their fifth. AP
  • Lionel Messi takes a shot. AFP
    Lionel Messi takes a shot. AFP
  • PSG defender Juan Bernat is shown the red card by Qatari referee Abdulrahman al-Jassim. AFP
    PSG defender Juan Bernat is shown the red card by Qatari referee Abdulrahman al-Jassim. AFP
  • Juan Bernat fouls Riyadh All-Star's Saudi midfielder Salem al-Dawsari, leading to a red card. AFP
    Juan Bernat fouls Riyadh All-Star's Saudi midfielder Salem al-Dawsari, leading to a red card. AFP
  • PSG's Lionel Messi scores the opening goal in Riyadh. AFP
    PSG's Lionel Messi scores the opening goal in Riyadh. AFP
  • Cristiano Ronaldo is challenged by PSG's Lionel Messi. AP
    Cristiano Ronaldo is challenged by PSG's Lionel Messi. AP
  • Cristiano Ronaldo and PSG's Marquinhos with officials before the match. Reuters
    Cristiano Ronaldo and PSG's Marquinhos with officials before the match. Reuters
  • Paris Saint-Germain forwards Lionel Messi and Neymar ahead of the match. AFP
    Paris Saint-Germain forwards Lionel Messi and Neymar ahead of the match. AFP
  • PSG''s Kylian Mbappe and Neymar warm up. AFP
    PSG''s Kylian Mbappe and Neymar warm up. AFP
  • A fan holds up a banner of Al Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo inside the stadium before the match. Reuters
    A fan holds up a banner of Al Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo inside the stadium before the match. Reuters
  • Cristiano Ronaldo during the Riyadh All-Stars against PSG at the King Fahd University Stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
    Cristiano Ronaldo during the Riyadh All-Stars against PSG at the King Fahd University Stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
  • Messi and Ronaldo vie for the ball during the Riyadh All-Stars against PSG at the King Fahd University Stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Photo: General Entertainment Authority
    Messi and Ronaldo vie for the ball during the Riyadh All-Stars against PSG at the King Fahd University Stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Photo: General Entertainment Authority
  • Lionel Messi lines up before kick off. Photo: General Entertainment Authority
    Lionel Messi lines up before kick off. Photo: General Entertainment Authority
  • Lionel Messi shoots at goal. Photo: General Entertainment Authority
    Lionel Messi shoots at goal. Photo: General Entertainment Authority
  • Saudi All-Stars in action against French champions PSG at the King Fahd University Stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Photo: General Entertainment Authority
    Saudi All-Stars in action against French champions PSG at the King Fahd University Stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Photo: General Entertainment Authority

Meanwhile, Ettifaq manager Patrice Carteron welcomed Ronaldo’s arrival to the league, describing setting up his side to face the all-time record goalscorer in men’s international football as “a privilege”.

“I am very happy that he came to Saudi Arabia for the excitement of every game, and at a big club like Al Nassr,” Carteron said. “It’s fantastic news for football here, and everyone will enjoy it and every ground should be full.

“He’s a fantastic player and we were all happy to face such a player. He played a good game today. He did not score, but he’s so dangerous.

“You can see he’s still not 100 per cent, but it’s a privilege to face him - and we wish him all the best.”

Lexus LX700h specs

Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor

Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm

Transmission: 10-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh590,000

Will the pound fall to parity with the dollar?

The idea of pound parity now seems less far-fetched as the risk grows that Britain may split away from the European Union without a deal.

Rupert Harrison, a fund manager at BlackRock, sees the risk of it falling to trade level with the dollar on a no-deal Brexit. The view echoes Morgan Stanley’s recent forecast that the currency can plunge toward $1 (Dh3.67) on such an outcome. That isn’t the majority view yet – a Bloomberg survey this month estimated the pound will slide to $1.10 should the UK exit the bloc without an agreement.

New Prime Minister Boris Johnson has repeatedly said that Britain will leave the EU on the October 31 deadline with or without an agreement, fuelling concern the nation is headed for a disorderly departure and fanning pessimism toward the pound. Sterling has fallen more than 7 per cent in the past three months, the worst performance among major developed-market currencies.

“The pound is at a much lower level now but I still think a no-deal exit would lead to significant volatility and we could be testing parity on a really bad outcome,” said Mr Harrison, who manages more than $10 billion in assets at BlackRock. “We will see this game of chicken continue through August and that’s likely negative for sterling,” he said about the deadlocked Brexit talks.

The pound fell 0.8 per cent to $1.2033 on Friday, its weakest closing level since the 1980s, after a report on the second quarter showed the UK economy shrank for the first time in six years. The data means it is likely the Bank of England will cut interest rates, according to Mizuho Bank.

The BOE said in November that the currency could fall even below $1 in an analysis on possible worst-case Brexit scenarios. Options-based calculations showed around a 6.4 per cent chance of pound-dollar parity in the next one year, markedly higher than 0.2 per cent in early March when prospects of a no-deal outcome were seemingly off the table.

Bloomberg

GAC GS8 Specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh149,900

Tailors and retailers miss out on back-to-school rush

Tailors and retailers across the city said it was an ominous start to what is usually a busy season for sales.
With many parents opting to continue home learning for their children, the usual rush to buy school uniforms was muted this year.
“So far we have taken about 70 to 80 orders for items like shirts and trousers,” said Vikram Attrai, manager at Stallion Bespoke Tailors in Dubai.
“Last year in the same period we had about 200 orders and lots of demand.
“We custom fit uniform pieces and use materials such as cotton, wool and cashmere.
“Depending on size, a white shirt with logo is priced at about Dh100 to Dh150 and shorts, trousers, skirts and dresses cost between Dh150 to Dh250 a piece.”

A spokesman for Threads, a uniform shop based in Times Square Centre Dubai, said customer footfall had slowed down dramatically over the past few months.

“Now parents have the option to keep children doing online learning they don’t need uniforms so it has quietened down.”

Seemar’s top six for the Dubai World Cup Carnival:

1. Reynaldothewizard
2. North America
3. Raven’s Corner
4. Hawkesbury
5. New Maharajah
6. Secret Ambition

'Shakuntala Devi'

Starring: Vidya Balan, Sanya Malhotra

Director: Anu Menon

Rating: Three out of five stars

Tomb%20Raider%20I%E2%80%93III%20Remastered
%3Cp%3EDeveloper%3A%20Aspyr%0D%3Cbr%3EPublisher%3A%20Aspyr%0D%3Cbr%3EConsole%3A%20Nintendo%20Switch%2C%20PlayStation%204%26amp%3B5%2C%20PC%20and%20Xbox%20series%20X%2FS%0D%3Cbr%3ERating%3A%203%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Blackpink World Tour [Born Pink] In Cinemas

Starring: Rose, Jisoo, Jennie, Lisa

Directors: Min Geun, Oh Yoon-Dong

Rating: 3/5

ONCE UPON A TIME IN GAZA

Starring: Nader Abd Alhay, Majd Eid, Ramzi Maqdisi

Directors: Tarzan and Arab Nasser

Rating: 4.5/5

Last-16 Europa League fixtures

Wednesday (Kick-offs UAE)

FC Copenhagen (0) v Istanbul Basaksehir (1) 8.55pm

Shakhtar Donetsk (2) v Wolfsburg (1) 8.55pm

Inter Milan v Getafe (one leg only) 11pm

Manchester United (5) v LASK (0) 11pm 

Thursday

Bayer Leverkusen (3) v Rangers (1) 8.55pm

Sevilla v Roma  (one leg only)  8.55pm

FC Basel (3) v Eintracht Frankfurt (0) 11pm 

Wolves (1) Olympiakos (1) 11pm 

The alternatives

• Founded in 2014, Telr is a payment aggregator and gateway with an office in Silicon Oasis. It’s e-commerce entry plan costs Dh349 monthly (plus VAT). QR codes direct customers to an online payment page and merchants can generate payments through messaging apps.

• Business Bay’s Pallapay claims 40,000-plus active merchants who can invoice customers and receive payment by card. Fees range from 1.99 per cent plus Dh1 per transaction depending on payment method and location, such as online or via UAE mobile.

• Tap started in May 2013 in Kuwait, allowing Middle East businesses to bill, accept, receive and make payments online “easier, faster and smoother” via goSell and goCollect. It supports more than 10,000 merchants. Monthly fees range from US$65-100, plus card charges of 2.75-3.75 per cent and Dh1.2 per sale.

2checkout’s “all-in-one payment gateway and merchant account” accepts payments in 200-plus markets for 2.4-3.9 per cent, plus a Dh1.2-Dh1.8 currency conversion charge. The US provider processes online shop and mobile transactions and has 17,000-plus active digital commerce users.

• PayPal is probably the best-known online goods payment method - usually used for eBay purchases -  but can be used to receive funds, providing everyone’s signed up. Costs from 2.9 per cent plus Dh1.2 per transaction.

Updated: January 23, 2023, 12:10 PM