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<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="betting-e2">{"type":"betting-e2","data":{"key":{"mobile":"fb9f812b41240655c161bb3d4ad2cf3f","desktop":"671024543858da3e0dfea5d9450ab1a4"}}}</script><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><ul><li>Portuguese icon starring in Middle East</li><li>Centre of attention in continental competition</li><li>Supporters desperate to catch a glimpse of him</li></ul>

WATCH: Fans run after Al-Nassr bus as Cristiano Ronaldo mania hits Iran & Portuguese superstar is gifted handwoven carpet ahead of AFC Champions League clash with Perspolis

<p>The Saudi Arabian outfit, with their Portuguese superstar in tow, are preparing for action in continental competition on Tuesday. On the same day as group stage action gets underway in the UEFA Champions League, the cream of the crop in the Middle East are also preparing to open another trophy quest.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>Ronaldo, who started the mass exodus of top talent from Europe to Saudi Arabia when heading for Al-Nassr after <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/more-opinionated-cristiano-ronaldo-tough-demands-lose-people-second-spell-man-utd-mike-phelan/blt4bd0888252a76722" target="_blank">seeing his Manchester United contract torn up</a>, is very much the star attraction in Tehran – with supporters <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/genius-cristiano-ronaldo-wink-nervous-opponents-beating-them-micah-richards-man-utd-superstar/blta729e5b3c0dc0e6c" target="_blank">desperate to catch a glimpse of him on and off the field</a>.</p><center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Meanwhile in Tehran 🎥<br><br>Don’t miss all AlNassr exclusive content in Tehran 🤩<br>Via AlNassr's official Snapchat 🤳<a href="https://t.co/Vgc7yqzln2">https://t.co/Vgc7yqzln2</a> <a href="https://t.co/UUJ0kDRjbA">pic.twitter.com/UUJ0kDRjbA</a></p>— AlNassr FC (@AlNassrFC_EN) <a href="https://twitter.com/AlNassrFC_EN/status/1703758418756952272?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 18, 2023</a></blockquote>
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THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>A huge delegation greeted Ronaldo and Al-Nassr when they arrived in Iran, with the five-time Ballon d’Or winner being gifted a special handwoven carpet – which he accepted with grace as he smiled and posed for photos.</p><center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Welcome to Iran 🤝🇸🇦<a href="https://twitter.com/AlNassrFC_EN?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AlNassrFC_EN</a> <a href="https://t.co/fw0otIgXjf">pic.twitter.com/fw0otIgXjf</a></p>— Persepolis (@PersepolisFC) <a href="https://twitter.com/PersepolisFC/status/1703729616764973395?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 18, 2023</a></blockquote>
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DID YOU KNOW?

<p>Al-Nassr currently sit sixth in the Saudi Pro League – with four wins and two defeats played out – but Ronaldo has been in top form, with the evergreen 38-year-old forward registering <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/watch-ouch-cristiano-ronaldo-hits-camera-operator-wayward-free-kick-al-nassr/blt568eba1b95efcbda" target="_blank">13 goals through 12 appearances in all competitions</a>.</p>

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

WATCH: Fans run after Al-Nassr bus as Cristiano Ronaldo mania hits Iran & Portuguese superstar is gifted handwoven carpet ahead of AFC Champions League clash with Perspolis | Goal.com English Oman

Cristiano Ronaldo mania has hit Iran, with hordes of fans racing after Al-Nassr’s bus ahead of their AFC Champions League clash with Perspolis.

WATCH: Fans run after Al-Nassr bus as Cristiano Ronaldo mania hits Iran &amp; Portuguese superstar is gifted handwoven carpet ahead of AFC Champions League clash with Perspolis

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