Ronaldo nets to book Al-Nassr's place in the quarter-finals as Mane makes debut

Cristiano scored his 840th goal in some style as he helped Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr book their place in the Arab Club Champions Cup quarter-finals on Wednesday.

The Real Madrid and Manchester United icon netted his second goal of the tournament against Egyptian opponents Zamalek, after breaking his breaking his pre-season drought against Al-Monastir in his side's 4-1 victory on Monday.

Al-Nassr found themselves behind at the King Fafd Stadium in Ta'if, Saudi Arabia, after Zamalek forward Zizo struck from the penalty spot to move into the second group qualifying spot.

But four minutes from time, the 38-year-old rose to the occasion and leapt for a bulleted header in the six-yard box to outsmart goalkeeper Mohamed Sobhi.

The feat marks the 300th time that Ronaldo has scored with either his left foot or head, rather than his dominant right foot.

A draw in the Kingdom meant that Al-Nassr held onto the second spot in Group C, and qualification to the next stage of the competition.

Thursday's match also featured the debut of Ronaldo's newest team-mate Sadio Mane, who joins the Saudi side from Bayern Munich following his abortive move to the Bundesliga in 2022.

Hot on the heels of a glittering spell at Liverpool, Mane's solitary season in Munich was blighted by a loss of form, injury concerns, and a tumultuous team dynamic in the dressing room.

Things came to a head for the Senegal star after he punched his then-team-mate Leroy Sane in the dressing room following their side's Champions League defeat to Manchester City at the Etihad.

His former coach Thomas Tuchel revealed that he bore some of the 'responsibility' for Mane's difficult year at the Allianz after the transfer went through on Tuesday.

'We had a big hug,' the German manager said of his player's departure. 'We agreed that we don’t like what’s happening now but that it’s the best in this situation.

'I totally understand that he feels hurt. I also don’t feel happy. We didn’t bring it to the full potential which is my responsibility.'

Mane is the latest big-money recruit to the Saudi Pro League following an efficient summer transfer window that has seen a number of high-profile signings tempted to the Kingdom.

Ronaldo himself claimed some responsibility for the seismic change in the league's transfer policy.

'I'm 100 per cent sure I won't return to any European club,' the former Juventus forward said in an interview in July.

'I opened the way to the Saudi league and now all the players are coming here.'

Al-Nassr will begin their league season on August 14 in an opener that sees the side face Al-Ettifaq - prompting a Premier League reunion of sorts with manager Steven Gerrard and new recruit Jordan Henderson, both, like Mane, formerly of Liverpool.