Cristiano Ronaldo and Al Nassr Riyadh were welcomed to Tehran last week for their AFC Champions League opener against local side Persepolis.
The team were given traditional Iranian gifts, and a heartwarming reception from thousands of local fans, who would run after the team bus wherever it went.
Local celebrities stood in line for a photo op, and children hid in the players’ hotel lobby, trying to get just a glimpse of the stars.
An Al Nassr training session was even cancelled because of the sheer number of fans surrounding the ground, preventing the team from arriving.
This all awaited Cristiano Ronaldo and his team when they landed in Iran.
But, surprisingly enough, the match occurred behind closed doors at the poorly maintained Azadi Stadium.
While reports have circulated in both Iranian and Indian media that this was imposed on Persepolis after their fans mocked Indian side Goa FC on social media in 2021 - comments seasoned with political and racial insults - there are other factors at play here too.
Sources in Iran highlighted that, with the country’s warming relations with Saudi Arabia, and the uncontrollable excitement surrounding Al Nassr’s arrival, encouraged Tehran to push for holding the match behind closed doors.
Security-wise, they weren’t ready for nearly 80,000 fans at Azadi, with the likelihood of pitch invaders trying to touch Ronaldo, Sadio Mané and co.
On the pitch, it had an impact.
A match between two of the biggest clubs in west Asia, featuring a star-studded lineup from the Saudi team, looked like a training game with no atmosphere.
Al Nassr won the match 2-0, with an own goal from Danial Esmailifar, and a surprising strike from Mohammed Qassem.
It’s important to note that the condition of the pitch at the Azadi was horrific, with four players leaving the field with an injury.
One of Asia’s most significant football arenas is unlikely to be used again in the competition this season, as Persepolis will look for a substantial alternative.
But it was a much-needed victory to help kickstart Al Nassr’s Champions League campaign.
Their next challenge will be Istiklol Dushanbe, at home next week.
Elsewhere in the competition, Al Ittiahd battered AGMK 3-0, Navbahor from Uzbekistan shockingly held Neymar’s Al Hilal to a 1-1 draw in Riyadh, and Emirati side Al Ain started their campaign oozing with style, winning 3-0 away from home against Pakhtakor.
Mohammed bin Salman’s Fox News interview
Making waves on multiple levels this week was an interview that Mohammed bin Salman, crown prince of Saudi Arabia, gave with Fox News.
Bin Salman had compliments for Iran on the welcome they gave Al Nassr.
It’s clear how important sport is to the crown prince.
This year Saudi Arabia’s breakaway LIV golf tour merged with the PGA tour, the sport’s stalwart competition, to give the Saudi’s greater influence in the sport.
It was a move with great symbolism for relations between the US and Saudi Arabia, and is seen as a significant platform to show soft power in years to come.
And here comes the topic of sportswashing.
"People can talk about sportswashing, and if that's what they call it, then yes, we will continue to do sportswashing,” bin Salman said.
“Sport is currently 1% of our GDP, and I want to increase it by another 1.5%.”
“People will say what they want, we will achieve this 1.5%.”
No matter what you think, Saudi investment in sport is here to stay.
Edited by Alex Smith
Thumbnail photo by Al Nassr FC
