Cristiano Ronaldo performs sujood to celebrate winning goal for Al Nassr

Cristiano Ronaldo celebrated his stunning goal for Al Nassr in the Saudi league on Tuesday night by prostrating, an act many prominent Muslim footballers perform after scoring.

Ronaldo's gesture came after he struck the third and winning goal for Al Nassr to secure a 3-2 victory over fellow Riyadh side Al Shabab.

Surrounded by his jubilant teammates on the touchline after he scored, the Portuguese footballing superstar got down on his knees and performed the sujood, an act of prostration - much to the delight of the fans and his fellow players.

The ex-Real Madrid forward then followed this up with his trademark 'Siiuuu' celebration. 

Cristiano Ronaldo doing Sujud after scoring the goal 😍🔥

pic.twitter.com/p1fa4UsAtQ

— CristianoXtra (@CristianoXtra_) May 23, 2023

The sujood is an act of low bowing or prostration to Allah facing the direction of the Kaaba in Mecca.

It is mostly performed during prayers, but it has recently become part of popular culture as high-profile Muslim players, most notably Liverpool’s Mo Salah and Bayern Munich’s Sadio Mane, perform it as part of goal celebrations.

Though it is unlikely Ronaldo’s seemingly impromptu sujood has any connection to his personal faith, it did hint at the stakes of the 38-year-old’s strike.

Ronaldo's 59th-minute winner left Al Nassr just three points behind league leaders Al Ittihad.

His goal prevented the frontrunners, who defeated Al Batin 1-0 earlier in the evening, from clinching the title.