Al Nassr fans rally behind Cristiano Ronaldo with ‘greatness is earned’ banner

Cristiano Ronaldo received a strong show of support from Al Nassr supporters during Friday’s Saudi Pro League match against Al-Diriyah, following his recent dispute with the Portugal national team.

The fans unveiled a large banner at Al-Awwal Park before the eighth-round fixture began, displaying Ronaldo’s familiar initials, “CR7”, alongside the message “Greatness is earned” in English.

The tribute came after the Portugal forward left the squad’s camp in Denmark last week following a disagreement with his coach, Jorge Jesus. The dispute was linked to Ronaldo’s absence from Portugal’s Nations League match against Norway in the competition’s second round.

Al Nassr supporters also chanted the 41-year-old’s name at the start of the game and again when the match reached the seventh minute. The timing was a reference to the shirt number Ronaldo favours at the club.

The show of support was directed at Al Nassr’s captain despite its apparent criticism of Jorge Jesus, who previously managed the team and guided them to the Saudi league title last season.

Ronaldo has been backed by Al Nassr fans since joining the club, and the latest display came as the team began the match fourth in the Saudi Pro League table on 16 points.

Al Nassr were three points behind leaders Al Qadsiah, although they had played one match fewer before facing Al-Diriyah on 9 October 2026.