Ronaldo performs his signature "Siuuu" celebration after scoring against Toulouse in a friendly match at the Grodig stadium, Austria, on 30/7/2025. Photo: Al Nassr

The most memorable image from Al Nassr's pre-season training camp in the Tyrol region of Austria wasn't a moment on the field. It was the team bus, moving slowly with dozens of security guards, traversing a road between fields to reach a small stadium in Grodig—a remote area at the foot of the Berchtesgaden Alps.

"This perfectly illustrates Ronaldo's magnetism wherever he goes," commented French newspaper L'Equipe.

That day, Al Nassr arrived for a friendly against Toulouse. It was a typical pre-season match, like dozens of others held every summer in Austria, a favorite training destination for many clubs. But no other team boasts a Portuguese star with such global appeal. Since rejoining Al Nassr the previous weekend, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner created a frenzy, disrupting the usual tranquility of the Tyrol region.

The Brandlhof Hotel in Saalfelden, about 70 km from the match venue and Al-Nassr’s base, was overwhelmed by fans both inside and out. Because the hotel wasn't completely sealed off, some people, including tourists and locals, tried to access the area reserved for the Saudi Arabian team. Some even snuck up to the floor where the Al Nassr players were staying, searching for and knocking on Ronaldo's door. They were met only with Ronaldo's indifference, much to their surprise.

Even Al Nassr's media representative was surprised by the attention the team captain attracted. "We thought people would be interested in Sadio Mane's return, having previously played for Austrian club RB Salzburg, and they were. But any news about Ronaldo gets significantly more views," he said.

A young boy excitedly makes the V (victory) sign while waiting in the stands at the Grodig stadium to watch Ronaldo play in the Al Nassr - Toulouse match. Photo: Al Nassr

Tickets for the Al-Nassr versus Toulouse match sold out in two minutes. Fabienne, a member of the local club whose son plays for the Grodig U14s, said, "Everyone wanted to be here on match day. I know many people who couldn't get tickets, even though entire families were online the moment sales opened. We live near the Red Bull Salzburg stadium, but even their Champions League matches aren't this big, because they don't have Ronaldo."

During the friendly against Toulouse, Ronaldo was his usual self, except for the number 9 jersey he wore during warm-up. His pre-match rituals remained the same: two sips of water, sprinkled on his forearms. With only 4 days of training, the 40-year-old Ronaldo no longer makes the same bursts of speed. However, he still entertained the crowd with a bicycle kick attempt in the 27th minute and a series of stepovers culminating in a shot over the bar in the 39th minute. Most importantly, he scored in the 33rd minute, although the play might have been offside.

The crowd, including hundreds standing in the field next to the stadium, erupted in his signature "Siuuu" chant. Ronaldo left the field after the first half, and the 3,500 spectators seemed less engaged in the second half. Few noticed Al Nassr's winning goal, a well-worked team effort that sealed the 2-1 victory. By then, Al Nassr's star players, including Ronaldo, Joao Felix, and Sadio Mane, had been substituted.

After the match, Ronaldo left in his club attire, not the traditional Austrian Lederhose pants with CR7 inscribed on them, a gift from local officials.

On the afternoon of 31/7, Ronaldo left the damp fields of Tyrol for the Algarve, Portugal, where Al Nassr might feel at home, given their growing Portuguese contingent. Ronaldo arranged a private jet to bring Joao Felix from Chelsea and suggested Portuguese coach Jorge Jesus to manage the team. Al-Nassr’s new CEO, Jose Semedo, is also one of Ronaldo's closest friends from their time together at Sporting.

"Should it be called Al-Nassr or Al-Nacr7?" L'Equipe quipped.

Ha Phuong (according to L'Equipe)