Video: Surprise gesture from Ronaldo after the latest Saudi Arabia

The Don steals the spotlight

Cristiano Ronaldo had a surprise in store for Al-Nassr fans after the win over Uzbek side Neftchi, using a striking gesture to show his attachment to Saudi Arabia amid recent developments in the region.

The Portuguese captain led his side to a 3-1 victory on Monday evening in the second round of the AFC Champions League Elite, and chipped in with the second goal on 42 minutes. Angelo had opened the scoring. Neftchi defender Boyan Sijer then put through his own net in the second half.

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Cameras caught him kissing the Saudi flag on the Al-Nassr shirt before kick-off, a nod to the country where he has played his football since joining "Al-Alami". He wasn't finished there.

Deep into the celebrations, Ronaldo asked supporters for a scarf bearing the Saudi flag and draped it over his shoulders. The timing, set against recent regional developments, gave the moment a weight beyond three points in the continental competition.

That combination of victory celebration and show of loyalty to the Kingdom quickly caught the eye, with the team chasing more positive results in their Asian campaign. Ronaldo's influence on Saudi pitches clearly isn't confined to what he does inside the green rectangle. It stretches to gestures like this one, the kind that fans and observers pore over.