• 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.”

UPI facts

More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions

Another way to earn air miles

In addition to the Emirates and Etihad programmes, there is the Air Miles Middle East card, which offers members the ability to choose any airline, has no black-out dates and no restrictions on seat availability. Air Miles is linked up to HSBC credit cards and can also be earned through retail partners such as Spinneys, Sharaf DG and The Toy Store.

An Emirates Dubai-London round-trip ticket costs 180,000 miles on the Air Miles website. But customers earn these ‘miles’ at a much faster rate than airline miles. Adidas offers two air miles per Dh1 spent. Air Miles has partnerships with websites as well, so booking.com and agoda.com offer three miles per Dh1 spent.

“If you use your HSBC credit card when shopping at our partners, you are able to earn Air Miles twice which will mean you can get that flight reward faster and for less spend,” says Paul Lacey, the managing director for Europe, Middle East and India for Aimia, which owns and operates Air Miles Middle East.

SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20APPLE%20IPAD%20PRO%20(12.9%22%2C%202022)
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The biog

Name: Dhabia Khalifa AlQubaisi

Age: 23

How she spends spare time: Playing with cats at the clinic and feeding them

Inspiration: My father. He’s a hard working man who has been through a lot to provide us with everything we need

Favourite book: Attitude, emotions and the psychology of cats by Dr Nicholes Dodman

Favourit film: 101 Dalmatians - it remind me of my childhood and began my love of dogs 

Word of advice: By being patient, good things will come and by staying positive you’ll have the will to continue to love what you're doing

THE BIO

Favourite place to go to in the UAE: The desert sand dunes, just after some rain

Who inspires you: Anybody with new and smart ideas, challenging questions, an open mind and a positive attitude

Where would you like to retire: Most probably in my home country, Hungary, but with frequent returns to the UAE

Favorite book: A book by Transilvanian author, Albert Wass, entitled ‘Sword and Reap’ (Kard es Kasza) - not really known internationally

Favourite subjects in school: Mathematics and science

Tearful appearance

Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday. 

Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow. 

She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.

A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.

The National's picks

4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young

Diriyah%20project%20at%20a%20glance
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CREW
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ERajesh%20A%20Krishnan%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ETabu%2C%20Kareena%20Kapoor%20Khan%2C%20Kriti%20Sanon%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%203.5%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Updated: January 23, 2023, 12:10 PM