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(CNN) — The celebrated Portuguese footballer Cristiano Ronaldo, who has scored hundreds of goals in his career, always celebrates by running to the corner pennant to perform his iconic "Siu" celebration, doing pirouettes in the air before landing in a position of strength.

But after scoring a decisive goal for his Saudi club, Al Nassr, in the 3-2 win against Al-Shabab, Ronaldo celebrated with a gesture similar to what is usually done in the Arab country that hosts him: a "Sajdah", the low bow or prostration that Muslim footballers usually make after scoring.

After the winning goal – described by the Saudi media as "his best goal since he arrived in Saudi Arabia" – Ronaldo leaned to the ground surrounded by his Al Nassr teammates, who wore yellow shirts and cheered him on along with the fans present in the stadium.

His gesture went viral on social media, prompting a whirlwind of comments from fans across the region.

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"Cristiano Ronaldo's joy with the third goal and his prostration before God in gratitude," Ali Alabdallah, a Saudi sports correspondent, tweeted to his 411,000 followers.

"May God guide your heart to Islam," he added in the video's caption.

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Portuguese player Cristiano Ronaldo bows after scoring a goal during the match between Al Nassr and Al-Shabab on May 23.

Many others were happy with the victory and with the gesture that accompanied it, wishing future success to the star player.

The movement, which includes leaning towards the ground and touching the grass with the forehead, is a celebratory gesture made especially by Muslim footballers.

Liverpool's Egyptian striker Mo Salah has done it repeatedly after scoring a goal.

It is also part of standardized Islamic prayer, which is traditionally practiced facing the "qibla," or in the direction of the Kaaba in the Saudi holy city of Mecca.

Ronaldo joined Saudi Arabia's Al Nassr last year. Its acquisition is part of an attempt by the kingdom to revamp its global image and expand its economy beyond oil and gas.

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