Cristiano Ronaldo endured a frustrating start to the Saudi Pro League season on Thursday after what appeared to be his winning goal for Al Nassr was ruled out by the video assistant referee.
Ronaldo scored his second goal with 15 minutes remaining in Al Nassr's home game against Al Raed on the opening day of the new season. However, after a lengthy VAR review, he was ruled offside.
The result was 1-1, despite Ronaldo putting his team ahead in the first half. The five-time Ballon d'Or winner, who set a league record last season with 35 goals, scored his first goal of the new campaign with a powerful close-range header in the 34th minute.
The goal was Ronaldo's 50th in 48 Saudi Pro League appearances.
But Al Raed, who finished 12th last season, levelled through Mohammed Fouzair four minutes into the second half.
To add to Ronaldo and his team's irritation, Al Nassr were denied a penalty for handling the ball in second-half stoppage time, despite the referee reviewing the incident on the pitchside monitor.
Ronaldo is still seeking his first major trophy since joining Al Nassr following his departure from Manchester United in December 2022.
After finishing second behind Al Hilal in both the Saudi Pro League and Saudi King's Cup last season, Al Nassr were defeated again by the Riyadh-based team in the Saudi Super Cup on Saturday.
