Cristiano Ronaldo scores his first free kick in almost THREE years

Cristiano Ronaldo helped inspire Al-Nassr to a crucial 2-1 win over Abha on Saturday by scoring a rare free-kick.

Al-Nassr tried to keep up with Saudi Pro League leaders Al-Ittihad, who beat Ronaldo’s side 1-0 last week.

Earlier on Saturday, Al-Ittihad defeated Al-Fateh 5-1 and Al-Nassr lost 1-0 with just 12 minutes to go and faced the prospect of falling four points off their rivals.

However, Ronaldo stepped forward to score a daring free-kick from 30 yards to equalize before Brazil star Anderson Talisca converted a penalty four minutes from time to complete the turnaround.

Ronaldo – who has never shied away from taking on set pieces with his iconic attitude – ended a nearly three-year losing streak without scoring a free-kick in the process.

Cristiano Ronaldo scored his first free-kick in almost three years for Al-Nassr on Saturday

The Portuguese superstar last scored a free-kick goal for Juventus in July 2020

Although the five-time Ballon d’Or winner had a sensational record early in his career, scoring his 56th free-kick on Saturday, he has struggled in recent years.

Juventus scored their last successful free-kick on July 4, 2020, firing home in their 4-1 win over Torino.

He failed to score a free-kick in his second spell at Manchester United and will be pleased to be a little more productive against Abha.

Ronaldo has scored nine goals in eight Saudi Pro League games since his spectacular move to Rudi Garcia’s side.

With nine games to go, they remain a point behind Al-Ittihad, managed by former Tottenham and Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo.

The win against Abha helped Al-Nassr and Ronaldo maintain their Saudi Pro League title fight