Aymeric Laporte‘s outrageous goal from inside his own half was enough to get Cristiano Ronaldo out of his seat as he watched in excitement from the stands.
The skipper was sidelined through injury for the clash between his side and Lionel Messi‘s Inter Miami in Saudi Arabia on Thursday night.
Al-Nassr grabbed two early goals before the former Manchester City defender produced an unbelievable strike from 15 yards inside his own half, catching out the helpless Drake Callender in the Miami goal.
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The effort was good enough for a stunned Ronaldo to leave his plush seat before raising his hands in jubilation as he looked on in amazement at the 29-year-old’s feat.
Ronaldo appeared to cut short a conversion with former UFC heavyweight champions and Anthony Joshua‘s next opponent Francis Ngannou, who was sat next to him in the Kingdom Arena.
Cristiano Ronaldo was too excited to keep seated after watching Aymeric Laporte’s incredible goal on Thursday night
فيديو احتفال رونالدو بهدف لابورت pic.twitter.com/AVwlZtNRO1
— كورة | Alnassr 📽️ (@BLLvid) February 1, 2024
للتاريخ يا لابورت.. ثالث الأهداف النصراوية ⚽🔥🤩#النصر_انترميامي#كأس_موسم_الرياض | #SSC pic.twitter.com/NDheLNMmN0
— SSC (@ssc_sports) February 1, 2024
Laporte’s goal completed a disastrous opening to the game for the North American side, who were without their own star man Messi. However, Miami were able to call on the services of Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba and new signing Luis Suatrez.
The friendly had been billed as the ‘Last Dance’ before Ronaldo was forced to pull out with a muscle complaint. His side didn’t appear to miss him in their dominant first half display.
Former Porto winger Otavio had opened the scoring after only three minutes before Talisca doubled their advantage in the 10th.
That was before Laporte’s quick thinking – and extraordinary excursion – put the Saudi Pro League side 3-0 up.
The defender is not known for his goalscoring exploits, having found the net only 12 times in 180 appearances in for Man City. Laporte has now scored three goals for Al-Nassr, who are gearing up for the resumption of the league in two weeks.
