"There were some big names playing here. Before we went on the pitch they were next to me. It felt like it was a video game."
Ronaldo, the top scorer in this season's Saudi Pro League, has eight in seven appearances in this campaign's Champions League Elite, one short of joint-top scorers Riyad Mahrez, Salem Al-Dawsari, Anderson and Jasir Asani.
Ronaldo, the Al Nassr captain, was reportedly rested for last week's goalless draw in the first leg in Iran, however returned to lead the side at Al Awwal Park.
Al Nassr captain Ronaldo had looked destined to endure a hugely frustrating game following a series of missed opportunities in the first half at Al Bayt Stadium.
The evening ended on a sour note for Al-Hilal when Neymar, who returned two weeks ago from a year out due to a ruptured cruciate ligament, was replaced 29 minutes after his introduction from the bench due to injury.
Ronaldo, making his first appearance in the rebranded Asian Champions League having missed last week's 1-1 opening draw against Iraqi club Al Shorta, had a goal disallowed for a narrow offside at the beginning of the second half.
Al Nassr captain Ronaldo did not travel with the squad for the match in Baghdad, with the club issuing a statement a day before stating that the Portuguese superstar had been diagnosed with a viral infection.
The Portuguese veteran is targeting Asia's top club crown to add to his long list of achievements when the competition kicks off on Monday.
The revamped Asian Champions League Elite will play a crucial role in encouraging fresh investment in the continent's clubs, said the senior-most official of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) as the body aims to revitalise the sport in the region.
A club from Bangladesh have been allocated an indirect slot in the upcoming top-tier club competition of the Asian Champions League (ACL), subject to obtaining ACL licensing, confirmed a Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) official today.
