This “mass reception” that the Iranians have reserved Cristiano Ronaldo, whose Saudi team Al-Nasr is due to face Persepolis, the biggest Iranian club, on Tuesday, September 19, at the opening of the Asian Champions League, the Saudi sports newspaper writes. Ar-Riyadhiya.

As seen on the cover of the newspaper, “legendary star” football cheered as its two team buses passed hundreds of fans in Tehran “who repeated his name.”

Dozens of fans even briefly invaded the hotel where “CR7” and his teammates were staying, forcing police to intervene.

Upon arrival at Imam Khomeini International Airport, Cristiano Ronaldo and his teammates were greeted by the management of the Persepolis club, who offered the Portuguese striker, as well as his Senegalese friend Sadio Mane, who arrived at the club this summer. “luxurious” Handmade Persian carpets, reports Ar-Riyadhiya.

“Persepolis is a stranger in his own country”

This visit also has a political dimension. Indeed, Saudi Arabia and Iran, at loggerheads for more than seven years, restored their diplomatic relations in March last year.

The meeting also took place in the presence of the Saudi Ambassador to Tehran, who was appointed only on September 5. During the seven-year gap, meetings between Iranian and Saudi clubs took place on neutral territory.

The Iranian sports press did not appreciate the respectful attitude of Persepolis and Iranian fans towards their Saudi guests.

So, Farhikhtegan Varzeshi expressed regret that some leaders of the Iranian club “I tried to take a selfie with the stars of the opposing team, including Cristiano Ronaldo.”.

“When Ronaldo arrived, Persepolis became a stranger in his own country” regrets on his part Target.