Cristiano Ronaldo appears to have overcome any lingering frustration with Ange Postecoglou over being subbed out in Al-Nassr’s most recent game, joining in celebrations for the Australian coach’s 61st birthday.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner was visibly seething after being taken out of the team’s Saudi Pro League clash with Al-Ettifaq at half time on Wednesday.
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But the bold move was vindicated, with Al-Nassr turning around a 2-0 deficit to win 3-2 despite having played nearly the entire game with only 10 men.
The 41-year old stormed from the pitch and didn’t take part in his team’s on-field victory celebrations.
But ahead of Al-Nassr’s match against Al-Taawoun on Saturday morning (AEST), the hatchet seems to have been buried, with Ronaldo all smiles as club staff presented Postecoglou with a birthday cake at training in Riyadh.
The popular Aussie’s family were also in attendance.
“I appreciate it,” Postecoglou told the team.
“When you celebrate your birthday in football, I’ve done it in so many different countries, so many different football clubs.
“All the time it feels special – I’m lucky I’ve got my real family with me as well today.
“You gave me a fantastic present in the last game, but I want another present tomorrow night!”
Ronaldo was then pictured alongside Postecoglou and the rest of the team for a birthday photo.
He didn’t, however, let a single player touch his cake.
“Leave the cake!” Postecoglou joked.
The Australian had previously claimed Ronaldo was “dancing and signing” in the dressing room after Al-Nassr’s comeback win and on the team bus following the match.
He also defended the Portuguese champion’s angry reaction to the substitution, saying it was down to Al-Nassr’s poor first half performance.
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“He is passionate about football and passionate about Al-Nassr, and he was angry because things were not going as required between the two halves,” Postecoglou said.
“This is a natural matter … it was planned for him to play 45 minutes because he had returned gradually, and before that he had played 30 minutes.”
Postecoglou added that Ronaldo would be “able to play a full match” against Al-Taawoun.
The former Tottenham Hotspur manager has made an undefeated start to his time in Saudi Arabia, with Al-Nassr winning both their Pro League game and a King’s Cup match under his tenure.