Cristiano Ronaldo given special SIM card for phone after arriving in Iran for behind-closed-doors clash

CRISTIANO RONALDO and his team-mates have been given special SIM cards after arriving in Iran.

Al-Nassr are set to take on Iranian champions Persepolis in the Asian Champions League on Tuesday.

GettyCristiano Ronaldo was given a special SIM card after arriving in Iran[/caption]

The match is both sides’ opening fixture in this season’s group stage.

Upon arriving in Tehran, the Al-Nassr players were given special SIM cards for their stay.

The SIM cards will allow the squad to access the internet without restrictions whilst they are in Iran.

Thousands of websites, messaging services and social media sites are blocked in the country.

As well as a SIM card, Ronaldo was also gifted a traditional carpet after arriving in Iran.

Tuesday’s match will be played behind-closed-doors at the 70,000-capacity Azadi Stadium.

Persepolis are serving a one-match stadium ban dating back to the 2021/22 season.

The club were punished for a now deleted social media post ahead of a match against FC Goa which referenced Iran’s invasion of India in the 1700s.

Al-Nassr will be bidding to go one better than their previous best Asian Champions League performance this term.

The Knights of Najd were beaten finalists back in 1995, the only time they have reached the final.

Ronaldo has been in fine form so far this season, scoring seven goals and adding five assists in six appearances across all competitions.

His goal contributions include an assist in the qualifying round for the Asian Champions League.

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner set up his side’s fourth goal in their 4-2 win over Shabab Al-Ahli last month.