“Cristiano Ronaldo Replaced at Half-Time as Al Nassr and Inter Milan Share Spoils in Pre-Season Encounter”

During Al Nassr’s pre-season tour in Japan on Thursday, Cristiano Ronaldo was replaced at half-time as the team faced Champions League finalist Inter Milan. The match ended in a 1-1 draw, with Abdulrahman Ghareeb scoring the opening goal for Al Nassr in the first half, and Davide Frattesi equalizing for Inter just before half-time.

Ronaldo, the Portugal superstar, had joined Al Nassr from Manchester United in January, a move that brought significant attention to Saudi football. The Public Investment Fund, one of the world’s wealthiest sovereign wealth funds, has been actively recruiting players for Saudi clubs from Europe’s top leagues, including French striker Karim Benzema, who joined Al Ittihad from Real Madrid.

Following Ronaldo’s path, Alex Telles signed for Al Nassr from Manchester United and made his first start in Osaka. In the 20th minute, Telles created a clear chance, but his compatriot Talisca’s header was saved by Inter goalkeeper Filip Stankovic. Two minutes later, Ronaldo attempted a long-range shot, but it went wide. Shortly after, Ghareeb found the back of the net in the 23rd minute, skillfully guiding the ball home from a well-placed chip by Talisca.

Both Lautaro Martinez and Joaquin Correa had opportunities to equalize for Inter, but it was Frattesi who scored with a header from a Denzel Dumfries cross in the 44th minute.

Ronaldo and many other players were removed at halftime by both Al Nassr boss Luis Castro and Inter rival Simone Inzaghi. Despite Martinez’s wasted chances in the second half, neither team could break the stalemate, resulting in Al Nassr’s second match of the week, following a 0-0 draw against Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday.

The following Tuesday, Inter will face PSG in Tokyo in what promises to be an entertaining duel between European powers.

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