Cristiano Ronaldo injury latest as Steven Gerrard ruins season opener for Al Nassr

Former Manchester United striker Cristiano Ronaldo was only able to watch on from the stands as Al Nassr were beaten in their Saudi Pro League opener.

In a curtain-raiser that caught the eye for United and Liverpool supporters, there was strong representation from the Premier League rivals on either team. But it was Al Nassr without Ronaldo who were down in the dumps after 90 minutes at the Prince Mohamed bin Fahd Stadium.

Sadio Mane netted the opener after only four minutes on Monday. Initially, it looked as though that would be a crucial strike against Mane's fellow ex-Liverpool heroes Steven Gerrard and Jordan Henderson in the Al Ettifaq ranks.

However, a quick-fire double upon the restart - from Robin Quaison and Moussa Dembele - handed Gerrard a huge win in his first game at the helm. But what might have been had Ronaldo played?

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After departing Old Trafford under controversial circumstances last term, Ronaldo paved the way for some of Europe's biggest names to follow him as Mane, Gerrard and Henderson pitched up there in time for the 2023/24 campaign. And they are not the only household names to have followed the five-time Ballon d'Or winner.

Players such as N'Golo Kante, Ruben Neves and Karim Benzema have found the temptation difficult to ignore. It has created an interesting dynamic in the market that is bound to continue impacting elite European clubs.

With injured Ronaldo not fit enough to return from the knock he picked up along the way to winning a first trophy for Al Nassr in the Arab Club