Ronaldo in Iran: Reactions as Al-Nassr team bus mobbed by fans ahead of Champions League clash

Cristiano Ronaldo, the captain of Al-Nassr, had a warm welcome in Iran during the first visit by a Saudi club to Iran since 2016 before the start of the Asian Champions League group stage.

In Group E on Tuesday, Al-Nassr will take on Persepolis of Iran while Al-Duhail of Qatar will take on Tajik team Istiklol Dushanbe.

When the Saudi Arabian squad led by Ronaldo arrived in Iran following the thawing of relations between the two nations, the streets were thronged with supporters waving welcome banners and images of Ronaldo.

Since 2016, games have been held on neutral ground because Saudi nationals are not allowed to visit Iran due to fragile diplomatic relations between the two nations.

Security guards tried to stop the fans from entering the team's hotel, but they still managed to do so.

Children and adults in Iran carried posters of the Portugal captain as the crowd chanted Ronaldo's name.

Children wore shirts from Al-Nassr and Portugal with Ronaldo's name and number, while some fans imitated the former Real Madrid player's well-known celebration by shouting SIU.

Since Ronaldo went to Al-Nassr in January of last year, the Saudi Pro League has grown in popularity with players from Europe.

Ronaldo, who scored his seventh league goal as Al Nassr defeated Al Raed 3-1 in a tricky outing at the weekend, will aim to please the fans against Persepolis.