Following his summer transfer, the 27-year-old Neves helped Al-Halil win the championship; veteran forward Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr came in second.
And while Portugal started their Nations League Group A1 campaign with two 2-1 home victories against the Scots, Ronaldo followed up his incredible 900th career goal against Croatia on Thursday by coming off the bench to score the game’s winning goal late on.
In response to a question on the 39-year-old’s influence even though he is currently a Saudi Pro League player, Neves said on the Portugal FA website, “I invite those people to watch Saudi football.”
Ronaldo was benched after beginning against Croatia, according to head coach Roberto Martinez, because at his age “Cristiano can’t play two 90-minute games” so soon after one another.
“Cristiano is in a very good moment,” he remarked. He has participated in three club games as of September. The fact that we must safeguard each and every participant is crucial.
“I appreciated his dedication. He’s a fantastic athlete.”
Similar to his performance against Croatia, Nuno Mendes’ cross found Ronaldo in the goal; the Paris Saint-Germain left-back also entered as a substitute against Scotland.
Though it was “a very tough game” and they had to come back from an early Scott McTominay goal to win, Mendes, like his manager, emphasized that it was a team effort to gain a “deserved victory.”.
