"A very special day" - Nacho Fernandez sends message to ex-Real Madrid teammate Cristiano Ronaldo after Al-Qadsiah's win over Al-Nassr
Nacho Fernandez has dubbed Cristiano Ronaldo a world example after the two Real Madrid teammates clashed in the Saudi Pro League. The Spaniard captained Al-Qadsiah to a 2-1 win over Al-Nassr at Al-Awwal Park on Friday (November 22).
It was the first meeting between the pair since Nacho swapped Madrid for Saudi this past summer. He shared the pitch 117 times with Ronaldo as a teammate, but they were opponents on this occasion.
Nacho was proud to have come up against the five-time Ballon d'Or winner and called their meeting a special occasion. He wrote on X:
"During my career we lived the best of football together and now having you in front of me is always a motivation. A very special day. Good luck in everything (Cristiano Ronaldo). A world example."
Cristiano Ronaldo, 39, had given Al-Nassr the lead in the 32nd minute to strike his 11th goal of the season. The visitors equalized through Colombian attacker Julián Quinones five minutes later before Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's 50th-minute winner.
It comes as a setback to Stefano Pioli's Al-Alami, who sit third in the Saudi Pro League table. Despite having played a game more, they are six points behind leaders Al-Hilal.
Nacho, 34, was one of many high-profile arrivals at Al-Qadsiah this past summer. His team are fifth in the league standings, level on points with Ronaldo's outfit but with an inferior goal difference.
Cristiano Ronaldo hailed Nacho 'one of Real Madrid's heroes' after the Spaniard left the Santiago Bernabeu
Cristiano Ronaldo was one of many past and present Real Madrid stars who reacted to Nacho's Santiago Bernabeu departure this past summer. The veteran defender ended a near-25-year stay with Los Blancos.
The La Liga giants' all-time top scorer sent a message to Nacho about his stature as an all-time great. He replied in the comments section of his ex-teammate's Instagram post:
"You are one of the heroes of Real Madrid's great history. Be proud of what you've achieved, Nacho!"
Nacho made 364 appearances for Madrid, posting 16 goals and 10 assists. He won 26 major trophies at the Bernabeu, including three Champions League trophies on the bounce with Ronaldo from 2015 to 2018.
Ronaldo left the Spanish capital club in 2018 but still has a huge affection for the reigning European champions. He spent nine years with them, bagging a remarkable 450 goals and 131 assists in 438 games.
