INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Al-Nassr captain Cristiano Ronaldo received a warm reception in Iran on Monday, in the first visit of a Saudi team to Iran since 2016 ahead
of the beginning of the group stage of the Asian Champions League.Al-Nassr face Iranian side Persepolis in Group E on Tuesday, while Qatari
side Al-Duhail play Istiklol Dushanbe of Tajikistan.The streets were crowded with fans who raised welcome banners and pictures of Ronaldo
upon the arrival of the Saudi Arabian team in Iran after the restoration of relations between the two countries, Reuters reported.The Asian
Football Confederation (AFC) announced that matches between Saudi and Iranian teams would be held on a home-and-away basis after the
agreement of the two local federations.Matches had been played on neutral territory since 2016 because strained diplomatic ties between the
two countries meant Saudi nationals were not permitted to travel to Iran.Supporters invaded the team&s hotel, despite attempts by security
personnel to prevent them.The fans chanted Ronaldo&s name, with children and women carrying pictures of the Portugal captain.Al-Nassr posted
several photos of Ronaldo receiving a luxurious hand-made Iranian carpet from Persepolis supporters.&Mr
Cristiano Ronaldo, welcome to Iran
A token of appreciation, an original hand-woven piece of art made by Iranian artists to commemorate your presence in Iran, on behalf of
Persepolis&s fans,& the fans wrote.Children wore Al-Nassr and Portugal shirts bearing Ronaldo&s name and number, and some fans performed the
famous celebration of the former Real Madrid player.The Saudi Pro League has become an attractive destination for Europe-based players since
Ronaldo moved to Al-Nassr last January.The post Crowds hail Ronaldo&s arrival in Iran ahead of match first appeared on Ariana News.
