Ronaldo helps Pioli to debut Al-Nassr victory in Saudi Pro League

Former Milan coach Stefano Piloi during his first press conference after his appointment as head coach of Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr (Photo: @AlNassrFC_EN via X)

Cristiano Ronaldo was on the scoresheet as former Milan coach Stefano Pioli recorded his first win in charge of Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Nassr on Friday night. 

Ronaldo scores on Pioli’s Al-Nassr debut

Al-Nassr rose to a 3-0 away victory against an Al-Ettifaq side coached by Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard. 

Ronaldo opened the scoring after 33 minutes from the penalty spots, and second-half strikes from Saleem Al-Najdi and Talisca sealed a positive start to his new role for the Italian tactician. 

Al-Nassr are now in fourth position in the Saudi Pro League after recording two wins and two draws from their first four league matches of the season, although Al-Taawoun and Al-Shabab are still able to catch them if they win their games in hand. 

Pioli, who left his role as head coach of Milan at the end of the 2023-24 season, was appointed by Al-Nassr on a two-year contract worth a reported €12m per season on Wednesday.