AL-NASSR have proven there is life in football beyond Cristiano Ronaldo after they ran riot in their talisman’s absence.
Ronaldo, 38, was forced to miss the Saudi Arabian outfit’s final game of the season through a muscle injury.
AFPCristiano Ronaldo missed Al-Nassr’s final game of the season[/caption]
GettyTalisca led the way in Ronaldo’s absence with a brace[/caption]
The Portugal legend picked up the knock during the previous game against Ettifaq – a 1-1 draw.
However, it did not deter Al-Nassr from romping to a 3-0 win over Al Fateh.
Former Benfica and Besiktas star Talisca got the Riyadh-based outfit off to a flyer with a goal in just four minutes.
It took until the 66th minute for him to grab his second of the game and 20th of the Saudi Pro League season.
The 29-year-old Brazilian then assisted super sub-Mohammed Maran for the third just six minutes later.
Unfortunately, with the title already wrapped up in Al-Ittihad’s favour due to a five-point gap, the win meant little for Ronaldo and Co’s trophy prospects.
Ronaldo joined Al-Nassr following the termination of his contract at Manchester United after a bombshell interview with Piers Morgan which saw him blast the club and Erik ten Hag.
And since his arrival, he has scored an impressive 14 goals in 16 Pro League games, while also adding two assists.
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He has been joined by his family, including Georgina Rodriguez during the move.
Ronaldo could soon be joined in the Middle East by fellow superstar Lionel Messi, with reports suggesting a package worth £1billion is being used to try and entice the Argentine.
The reported deal would see Messi, 35, sensationally DOUBLE Ronaldo’s already staggering £173m-a-year wages.