OTD 22 years ago, Cristiano Ronaldo made his professional debut

Cristiano Ronaldo has one thing to live up to at the start of the Saudi Arabian season: the Super Cup. The tournament works like the Spanish one, in a final four with semi-finals and final that, in the two years since CR7 signed with Al Nassr, has eluded the Portuguese. In his first attempt, he was eliminated by Al Ittihad. In the second, they were beaten by Al Hilal, who were without a seriously injured Neymar.

For this edition of the competition, the date has been changed again to bring it into line with the major leagues. A few hours later, its mirror tournament will be played in Europe, where Real Madrid, of whom the Portuguese has fond memories, will face Atalanta. The 'Merengues' won the Champions League and the 'Dea', the Europa League. The most recent news in the run-up to the game is a knee injury to Eduardo Camavinga.

Returning to the Middle East, the No 7 is expected to be an unchallenged starter in what will be his return to domestic duties after this summer's European Championship in Germany. Under the guidance of Roberto Martinez, he started every game for Portugal, but was eliminated by France in the quarter-finals. A 0-0 draw preceded a fateful penalty shoot-out despite him converting his spot-kick, the first.

For more than a decade now, it has been commonplace for him to take on this kind of responsibility. Looking back is especially interesting this Wednesday because it is the 22nd anniversary of his professional debut. It was on 14th August 2002 in the Champions League qualifiers, when he came on for the final half hour of a game against Inter Milan, the first leg of a tie that would end in the Nerazzurri's favour 2-0 on aggregate. Even with him on the pitch, the Portuguese side played out a goalless draw.

For the present, CR7 already know their opponents should they beat Al Taawoun: Al Hilal, who eliminated Al Ahli from 12 yards the day before. Jorge Jesus is still without his star man Neymar, but Aleksandar Mitrovic's 90th-minute goal ensured that Roberto Firmino's 66th-minute strike ended their hopes of retaining their title, which has been in their trophy cabinet since April this year with a 4-1 win over Al Ittihad.

 

August 13, 2024