Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, Qatar, came alive on a cool autumn night as football fans from all over the world gathered to see one of the sport’s biggest stars, Cristiano Ronaldo, in action. The 39-year-old Portuguese legend and his Saudi club, Al Nassr, faced Qatar’s Al Gharafa in a crucial AFC Champions League Elite Group B match. Despite the late hour, a 50-kilometer distance from Doha, and the relatively lower profile of the competition, the event drew an astonishing 37,000 spectators—around 12% of Qatar’s entire population.
Among the crowd were Al Gharafa’s loyal supporters, a handful of Al Nassr fans who traveled for the match, but the majority were simply there for a chance to see Ronaldo, one of the most iconic and recognizable sports figures of this generation.
The stands were filled with fans of all ages, many donning Ronaldo jerseys from his time at Al Nassr, Real Madrid, Manchester United, and Portugal. Among them was 12-year-old Noufil Abdel Malik, who had secured a seat behind Al Nassr’s bench and held up a sign asking Ronaldo for his shirt. Although none of the fans managed to get Ronaldo’s jersey, they were treated to a thrilling performance by the footballing superstar.
Ronaldo delivered with two goals, leading Al Nassr to a 3-1 victory over Al Gharafa, a result that brings them close to securing a spot in the AFC Champions League’s round of 16. The team now needs just two points from their remaining three group games to advance.
In his post-match interview, Ronaldo expressed his gratitude to his fans, particularly the young ones, who continue to be a significant source of motivation for him to keep playing at the highest level. “It’s still my motivation to make my fans happy, especially kids,” said Ronaldo. “I have a few kids of my own at home, so I understand their passion. I just try to do my best, score goals, and make my team win.”
This match also marked Ronaldo’s return to Qatar for the first time since the 2022 FIFA World Cup, where he led Portugal to the quarterfinals. He spoke fondly of being back in the country, noting the passion of the fans and his happiness at scoring two more goals to add to his incredible career tally.
“I’m happy to be back in Qatar,” he said. “To see the passion that people have for the club, for football, and for me. I’m happy I was able to score two goals tonight, and I’m going back to Saudi Arabia a really happy man.”
One of the youngest fans in attendance, eight-year-old Harshveer Singh, came to the stadium wearing Al Nassr’s blue and yellow kit with Ronaldo’s iconic number seven on the back. “When I found out last week that Ronaldo would be in Qatar, I asked my dad to bring me here,” said Singh, clearly thrilled to watch his idol live.
Even younger fans like five-year-old Shahem al-Salem were caught up in the excitement, staying awake well past bedtime to witness Ronaldo’s trademark celebration and the roar of the crowd as his famous “siuu” echoed through the stadium.
While Al Gharafa was the home team, the majority of the crowd was firmly behind Al Nassr. Abdallah Abdel Razeq, an 18-year-old from Lebanon, reflected the sentiment of many in the crowd, saying, “Ronaldo has the power to bring people out of their homes and fill up stadiums no matter where he plays. I can assure you that out of the 37,000 people in the stadium, at least 35,000 came only to see him.”
With his performance on the pitch and his impact off it, Cristiano Ronaldo continues to be a global footballing magnet, drawing fans from every corner of the globe and reminding us why he remains one of the most celebrated athletes in history.