Cristiano Ronaldo performs sujood to celebrate winning goal for Al Nassr
Cristiano Ronaldo performs sujood to celebrate winning goal for Al Nassr
Cristiano Ronaldo celebrated his winner for Saudi football club Al Nassr by prostrating, replicating the post-goal celebrations of many Muslim footballers.
2 min read
Cristiano Ronaldo hit a stunning winner for Al Nassr in last night's Riyadh derby [Getty]
Cristiano Ronaldo celebrated his stunning goal for Al Nassr in the Saudi league on Tuesday night by prostrating, an act many prominent Muslim footballers perform after scoring.
Ronaldo's gesture came after he struck the third and winning goal for Al Nassr to secure aÌý3-2 victory overÌýfellow Riyadh side Al Shabab.
Surrounded by his jubilant teammates on the touchline after he scored,Ìýthe Portuguese footballing superstarÌýgot down on his knees and performed the sujood, an act of prostration - much to the delight of the fans and his fellow players.
The ex-Real Madrid forward then followed this up with his trademark 'Siiuuu' celebration.Ìý
Cristiano Ronaldo doing Sujud after scoring the goal ðŸ˜ðŸ”¥
— CristianoXtra (@CristianoXtra_)
The sujood is an act of low bowing or prostration to Allah facing the direction of the Kaaba in Mecca.
It is mostly performed during prayers, but it has recently become part of popular culture asÌýhigh-profile Muslim players,Ìýmost notably Liverpool’s Mo Salah and Bayern Munich’s Sadio Mane, perform it as part of goal celebrations.
Though it is unlikely Ronaldo’s seemingly impromptu sujood has any connection to his personal faith, it did hint at the stakes of the 38-year-old’s strike.
Ronaldo's 59th-minute winner left Al Nassr just three points behind league leaders Al Ittihad.
His goal prevented the frontrunners, who defeatedÌýAl Batin 1-0 earlier in the evening,Ìýfrom clinching the title.
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