Cristiano Ronaldo rolls back the years as he scores trademark knuckleball free-kick then goes wild in celebration
DON'T mess with the classics.
That's as true of Cristiano Ronaldo himself at 38 as it is of his trademark knuckleball free-kicks at all angles.
The Al-Nassr icon showed he can still match his sense of theatre with the ability to deliver a killer line as he sunk Damac.
And his dramatic timing remains perfect too.
The Portugal fontman celebrated as wildly as ever after clinching a 2-1 comeback victory that leaves Al-Nassr four points off Al-Hilal in the Saudi Pro League.
It comes as leaders Al-Hilal reel from their Brazil legend Neymar being ruled out for the season with an ACL injury.
And after Ronaldo planted his 25-yard winner into the right corner, his team-mates rejoiced as if knowing it could be a key twist in the plot.
Fans on social media also lapped up the reminder of Ronaldo's greatness in a career spanning five Ballon d'Or triumphs, five Champions League crowns and Euro 2016 glory.
Knuckleball free-kicks deprive the ball of spin - enabling the air to dip it home
One viewer said of the latest lesson from the Manchester United and Real Madrid legend: "Cristiano the master of free kicks. Once again proves his class".
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Another posted of his 10 months in Saudi Arabia: "He seems to be having a blast anyway."
A third wrote: "He's full of confidence, so he's trying more things."
Al-Nassr fans even unveiled a giant "CR7 200" banner of Ronaldo in superhero attire to honour their man's double-ton of caps - with his international stats now standing at 127 goals from 203 games.
But amongst the many "GOAT" references to his Dam-busting strike, a few observers criticised the defensive wall and goalkeeper Moustapha Zeghba - who only moved to watch Ron's free-kick fizz past him.
"Where's the keeper?" asked one cynic.
Cameroon winger Georges-Kevin N'Koudou had put mid-table visitors Damac in front during first-half stoppage time.
But Brazilian attacker Talisca and Ronaldo struck soon after the break to clinch a 2-1 success.