In a moment that captured the essence of sportsmanship amid fierce competition, Cristiano Ronaldo extended a respectful greeting to Al Qadsiah coach Brendan Rodgers before their Saudi Pro League clash on January 8, 2026, at Al-Awwal Park in Riyadh. The pre-match handshake, shared warmly between the Portuguese superstar and the former Celtic manager, set the tone for what became an enthralling encounter. Al Qadsiah, under Rodgers’ guidance, secured a stunning 2-1 victory over Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr, marking the Northern Irishman’s third consecutive win since taking the helm in December 2025. The result not only boosted Al Qadsiah’s standing in the league but also highlighted Rodgers’ tactical acumen against one of football’s all-time greats.

The game kicked off with high expectations, as Al-Nassr, sitting second in the table, aimed to close the gap on leaders Al-Hilal. Ronaldo, at 40 years old, continues to defy age with his prolific scoring, having netted 12 goals in 14 appearances this season. However, Al Qadsiah, newly promoted and revitalized under Rodgers, proved a formidable opponent. The visitors struck first in the 22nd minute when Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, the former Arsenal striker signed by Rodgers in the winter window, slotted home a clinical finish from a counter-attack. Al Qadsiah doubled their lead in the 57th minute through Julian Quinones, whose deflected shot wrong-footed Al-Nassr goalkeeper Bento. Ronaldo pulled one back from the penalty spot in the 82nd minute—his trademark powerful strike— but it wasn’t enough to salvage a draw, as Al Qadsiah held firm for the upset.

Post-match, Rodgers revealed his tactical blueprint, emphasizing discipline and exploiting Al-Nassr’s vulnerabilities on the break. “We knew they’d dominate possession, but we focused on being compact and hitting them quickly,” Rodgers told reporters, as quoted in Sportskeeda. He praised his players’ “outstanding” execution, noting how they neutralized Ronaldo’s influence for much of the game. Rodgers, who shared a brief conversation with Ronaldo before kickoff, later joked that he told the five-time Ballon d’Or winner, “This is only the beginning,” hinting at his ambitions in the Saudi league. The exchange, captured on video and widely shared on social media, showed the two icons embracing, a nod to mutual respect despite past encounters—Rodgers’ Leicester City faced Ronaldo’s Manchester United in 2021, with mixed results.

Rodgers’ move to Al Qadsiah in December 2025 came as a surprise to many in European football. After a successful second stint at Celtic, where he won back-to-back Scottish Premiership titles in 2024 and 2025, along with domestic cups, Rodgers sought a new challenge. His departure from Celtic was amicable, with the club citing his desire for “fresh horizons.” Al Qadsiah, backed by Saudi Aramco and ambitious in their post-promotion era, lured him with a reported £10 million annual salary and significant transfer budget. Rodgers’ early signings, including Aubameyang from Marseille and Quinones from America, have injected quality, turning the team into dark horses. In his first two games, Al Qadsiah defeated Al-Riyadh 3-1 and Al-Fayha 2-0, showcasing an attacking style reminiscent of his Liverpool days.

For Ronaldo, the defeat was a rare setback in what has been a dominant season for Al-Nassr. The club, which signed him in December 2022 on a landmark £173 million-per-year deal, has transformed the Saudi Pro League’s global profile. Ronaldo’s presence has attracted stars like Sadio Mane, Aymeric Laporte, and Marcelo Brozovic to Al-Nassr, while the league boasts talents such as Neymar at Al-Hilal and Karim Benzema at Al-Ittihad. Despite the loss, Ronaldo’s penalty was his 912th career goal, inching him closer to the elusive 1,000-goal milestone he has publicly targeted. Al-Nassr manager Luis Castro defended his team, saying, “We created chances, but credit to Rodgers—they were organized.” The result leaves Al-Nassr four points behind Al-Hilal, intensifying the title race.

Social media buzzed with reactions to the greeting and the match. ESPN UK’s post of the handshake garnered over 16,000 views, with fans praising Ronaldo’s class. On X, user @JoshMcCafferty7’s video of the embrace received more than 700,000 impressions, sparking debates about Rodgers’ Saudi adventure. Celtic supporters, via outlets like 67 Hail Hail, celebrated their ex-boss’s success, with one post noting, “Brendan Rodgers tells Cristiano Ronaldo this is ‘only the beginning’ as ex-Celtic boss seals upset.” Scottish media, including The Scotsman and Scottish Sun, highlighted the “outstanding” performance, framing it as Rodgers’ biggest scalp yet.

Rodgers’ career trajectory has been one of highs and controversies. Starting at Watford in 2008, he rose through Reading and Swansea, earning promotion to the Premier League with the latter in 2011. His Liverpool tenure from 2012 to 2015 nearly delivered the title in 2013-14, finishing second to Manchester City. At Celtic from 2016 to 2019, he achieved an invincible domestic treble in 2016-17, but his mid-season exit to Leicester drew ire from fans. At Leicester, he won the FA Cup in 2021 but was sacked in 2023 amid relegation fears. Returning to Celtic in 2023, he restored dominance before the Saudi move. Critics question the league’s competitiveness, but Rodgers defends it, saying in a pre-match interview, “The quality here is underestimated—it’s a growing league with world-class talent.”

Ronaldo’s Saudi chapter, meanwhile, has been transformative. After leaving Manchester United in November 2022 following a fallout with Erik ten Hag, he joined Al-Nassr, becoming the highest-paid athlete ever. His debut season yielded 14 goals, but 2023-24 saw him win the Golden Boot with 35 strikes. Off the field, Ronaldo’s influence extends to business—his CR7 brand, YouTube channel (over 50 million subscribers), and investments in wellness. Despite turning 41 in February 2026, he shows no signs of slowing, recently stating in a podcast, “I feel strong, motivated—1,000 goals is the target.” The loss to Al Qadsiah, however, exposed defensive frailties, with fans on platforms like Facebook questioning Castro’s tactics.

The Saudi Pro League’s rise continues, with average attendances up 20% this season and global broadcasting deals expanding. Al Qadsiah’s victory, broadcast on SPOTV and TNT Sports, drew international attention, with Brazilian outlet TNT Sports BR noting Al-Nassr’s widening gap to Al-Hilal. Irish media referenced a past Ronaldo “hissy fit” in a 2021 international against Ireland, adding banter to Rodgers’ win. Fan accounts like @IrishPropaganda and @FootballPark_Scotland shared the embrace video, amassing thousands of views.

Pundits analyzed Rodgers’ impact. Callum McFadden on X praised the “all smiles” pre-match but noted the tactical masterclass. Planet Football suggested Rodgers exposed Al-Nassr’s “biggest weakness”—over-reliance on Ronaldo— in the 2-1 defeat. For Al Qadsiah, the win propels them to mid-table safety, with Rodgers eyeing European-style success. Upcoming fixtures include a clash with Al-Hilal on January 15, testing his unbeaten run.

Ronaldo, ever the competitor, posted on Instagram post-match: “Not the result we wanted, but we keep fighting. #SIUUU.” His greeting to Rodgers exemplified respect in rivalry, a theme echoed by fans. As one X user put it, “Rodgers masterminding a win over Ronaldo…..” The encounter not only delivered drama but reinforced the Saudi league’s growing stature, blending global icons with emerging narratives.

This match could signal a shift, with Rodgers’ Al Qadsiah challenging the established order. For Ronaldo, it’s a reminder that even legends face new tests. As the season unfolds, eyes will remain on Riyadh, where respect and rivalry coexist on the pitch.