Cristiano Ronaldo heads in a signature header against Zamalek in the dying minutes to secure a draw for Al-Nassr and book a spot in the quarter-finals of the Arab Club Champions Cup… as Sadio Mane makes his debut

Cristiano somehow scored his 840th goal as he helped Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr book a place in the quarter-finals of the Arab Club Champions Cup on Wednesday.

The Real Madrid and Manchester United icon scored his second goal of the tournament against Egyptian opponents Zamalek after breaking his pre-season goal against Al-Monastir in his side’s 4-1 win on Monday.

Al-Nassr found himself at the back of the King Fafd Stadium in Ta’if, Saudi Arabia, after Zamalek striker Zizo struck from the penalty spot to move into the group’s second qualifying spot.

But four minutes before the end, the 38-year-old attacker seized the opportunity and jumped for a header in the box to outsmart goalkeeper Mohamed Sobhi.

It is the 300th time that Ronaldo has scored with his left foot or head, instead of his dominant right foot.

The star was like an assassin for the goal to equalize and book Al-Nassr’s quarter-final

The 38-year-old scored his second of the tournament and now focuses on the competition

A draw in the Kingdom meant Al-Nassr retained second spot in Group C and qualified for the next stage of the competition.

Thursday’s match also marked the debut of Ronaldo’s newest teammate Sadio Mane, who joins Saudi Arabia from Bayern Munich after his failed move to the Bundesliga in 2022.

Mane’s lone season in Munich, on the heels of a glittering spell at Liverpool, has been plagued by a drop in form, injury concerns and tumultuous team dynamics in the dressing room.

Things came to a head for the Senegalese star after he punched then-teammate Leroy Sane in the dressing room after their side’s Champions League defeat to Manchester City at the Etihad.

His former coach Thomas Tuchel revealed he bore some of the “responsibility” for Mane’s difficult year at the Allianz after the transfer went through on Tuesday.

“We had a big hug,” said the German manager of his player’s departure. “We agreed that we don’t like what’s happening now, but it’s for the best in this situation.

“I totally understand that he feels hurt. I don’t feel happy either. We haven’t brought it to its full potential and that’s my responsibility.’

Mane is the latest signing for the Saudi Pro League’s big bucks after an efficient summer transfer window that saw a number of high-profile signings enticed to the Kingdom.

Sadio Mane (left) made his Al-Nassr yellow debut after moving from Bayern Munich

Ronaldo himself claimed some responsibility for the seismic change in the league’s transfer policy.

“I am 100 per cent sure that I will not return to any European club,” the former Juventus striker said in an interview in July.

“I opened the way to the Saudi league and now all the players are coming here.”

Al-Nassr opens its regular season on August 14 in an opener against Al-Ettifaq.