CRISTIANO RONALDO mania hit Iran as fans chased Al-Nassr’s team bus and flocked into the club’s hotel upon the superstar’s arrival.
Huge crowds lined the streets and mobbed the bus, hoping to see Ron ahead of Tuesday’s Asian Champions League tie with Persepolis.
Fans flocked around the bus hoping to see big names like Ronaldo
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Ronanldo and Co got an amazing reception as they arrived for the huge cup tie
Al-Nassr had to amend their plans due to fans gathering in their hundreds
There were even claims Al-Nassr called off a training session because of the frenzy caused by hundreds of supporters.
It shows Ronaldo’s fame has spread even wider across Asia since his switch to Saudi Arabia in January this year.
And the hype has heightened since the summer influx to Saudi Arabia of more big names like Neymar, Karim Benzema and Aymeric Laporte.
Ron himself has been joined at his club by Sadio Mane, whose former Liverpool team-mates Roberto Firmino, Fabinho and Jordan Henderson have switched to the same league.
On X, now known as Twitter, Al-Nassr released videos of followers sprinting to catch the yellow bus.
In an effort to get images of the five-time Ballon d’Or winner through the car’s windows, many people raised their phones.
Ron, a 38-year-old former player for Manchester United and Real Madrid, is the most popular foreign athlete in Iran, where football is the national sport.
He was just removed from the Ballon d’Or shortlist for the first time since 2003.
Although such a streak can be considered commendable, Ron’s longevity is nothing compared to Persepolis’ legendary heritage.
From from 500 BC to 330 BC, Al-Nassr’s current location served as the Persian empire’s capital.
It is also a World Heritage Site due to the ancient ruins there.
Ronaldo is far from a dinosaur, despite leaving football’s top leagues.
He also has his sights set on adding Asia’s top club title to his five Champions League victories in Europe after his extra time double helped Al-Nassr win the Arab Club Champions Cup in August.
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The road was packed as Ronaldo arrived with Al-Nassr