:format(webp)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/grupoclarin/KRFXLND2VFEOVBK2PAPO5ILGBQ.jpg "Cristiano Ronaldo and the madness his arrival caused among Iranian fans")
Hundreds of fans stormed a hotel in Iran on Monday to get a closer look at Cristiano Ronaldo as the Portuguese star arrived to watch an Asian Champions League match with teammates from Saudi club Al Nasr. The Portuguese star did not participate in Iran’s match against Luxembourg. .
To chants of “Ronaldo, Ronaldo”, fans managed to overwhelm police and fill the corridors and public spaces of the Espian Palace Hotel.
This is Cristiano’s first visit to Iran and Nasr will face Iranian club Persepolis in Tehran on Tuesday. The two teams will meet again in the Saudi capital Riyadh on November 27.
The Portuguese was one of the first high-profile footballers to accept a lucrative contract offer from a Saudi club. The kingdom, with its vast oil wealth, is investing billions of dollars to transform itself into a sports powerhouse.
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Asian Champions League returns
These Asian Champions League games are being held after Iran and Saudi Arabia restored diplomatic relations after reaching a deal at the beginning of the year with China as a mediator. The two countries severed ties in 2016 after crowds entered the Saudi diplomatic mission in Iran to protest Saudi Arabia’s execution of a popular Shia cleric.
The 2015 AFC Champions League was the last time Saudi Arabia and Iran faced off at home.