For the first time in Saudi Arabia, Cristiano Ronaldo modifies his Al-Nassr uniform slightly to complete his unique style.

 

 

It appears that Cristiano Ronaldo’s ability to convince people has returned to work at Al-Nassr after his most recent performance for the Saudi Pro League team.

In Wednesday’s 1-0 AFC Champions League victory over Al Feiha, the Portuguese legend scored the game-winning goal for his Saudi team. Astute watchers might have noticed that a crucial component of his outfit had made a reappearance.

If one had looked attentively, Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr shirt would have stood out as being odd. Because the 39-year-old was donning a club shirt with long sleeves—a look that has come to be associated with the Portuguese captain—for the first time since moving to the Middle East.

Whether he was playing for Juventus, Real Madrid, or Manchester United, Ronaldo has always worn long sleeve shirts. Currently, and in spite of Saudi Arabia’s milder weather, it appears that he has fulfilled his lifelong dream by donning a long-sleeved shirt in the Al-Nassr colors. In the past, he was frequently spotted donning the club’s more typical short-sleeved shirt, which he paired with a base layer of the same color to give the illusion of long sleeves. But it appears that Nike, the Saudi club’s kit supplier, has at last produced a version that suits their top player. Not only that, but nine other players in the starting lineup also wore long sleeves; only Marcelo Brozovic and goalie Raghed Al-Najjar continued to wear short sleeves. Ronaldo has always favored wearing long sleeves on the international scene in addition to his club preferences. He has now scored 31 goals in 32 appearances this season thanks to his goal in the AFC Champions League victory. Al-Nassr, who fell to Al-Hilal 2-0 earlier this month, is still seven points behind the leaders in the Saudi Pro League.