(CNN) Celebrated Portuguese footballer Cristiano Ronaldo, who has scored hundreds of goals in his career, always celebrates by running to the corner flag to perform his iconic ‘Siu’ celebration, pirouetting in the air before landing in a position of strength.
But after scoring a crucial goal for his Saudi club Al Nassr in a 3-2 win against Al-Shabab, Ronaldo celebrated with a gesture similar to what is usually done in his Arab host country: a “Sajdah “, the bow or low prostration that Muslim footballers usually do after scoring.
After the winning goal – which Saudi media dubbed “his best goal since arriving in Saudi Arabia” – Ronaldo bowed to the ground surrounded by his Al Nassr teammates, who wore yellow jerseys and cheered him along with the fans present. in the stadium.
His gesture went viral on social media, sparking a whirlwind of comments from fans across the region.
“Cristiano Ronaldo’s joy at the third goal and his prostration before God in gratitude,” Saudi sports correspondent Ali Alabdallah tweeted to his 411,000 followers.
“May God guide your heart to Islam,” she added in the video caption.
Portuguese player Cristiano Ronaldo bows after scoring a goal during the match between Al Nassr and Al-Shabab May 23.
Many others rejoiced in the victory and the gesture that accompanied it, wishing the champion future successes.
The movement, which involves leaning towards the ground and touching the forehead to the grass, is a celebratory gesture performed mainly by Muslim footballers.
Liverpool’s Egyptian forward Mo Salah has done this multiple times after scoring a goal.
It is also part of standardized Islamic prayer, which is traditionally practiced facing the “qibla,” or direction of the Kaaba in the holy Saudi city of Mecca.
Ronaldo joined Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr last year. The acquisition is part of a bid by the kingdom to revamp its global image and expand its economy beyond oil and gas.
