Cristiano Ronaldo concluded the Saudi Pro League season in spectacular fashion by setting a new goal-scoring record on Monday. Playing in Riyadh, Ronaldo netted twice in Al-Nassr’s 4-2 triumph over Al-Ittihad, raising his league goal tally to 35. This achievement surpasses the previous record of 34 goals set by Abderrazak Hamdallah in 2019. The Portuguese superstar’s record-breaking performance was a fitting end to an eventful season filled with remarkable highs and dramatic moments.
In a thrilling match, Ronaldo had already experienced the frustration of having two goals disallowed for offside before finally finding the back of the net in the closing moments of the first half. He skillfully brought down a long pass from Mohammed Al-Fatil with his chest and scored with a precise low shot from the left side of the penalty area. Ronaldo’s second goal came with 21 minutes remaining, as he headed in a corner from Marcelo Brozovic, leading to jubilant celebrations. He was then substituted off to a standing ovation from the home crowd, marking a memorable conclusion to his record-setting night.
Ronaldo’s season with Al-Nassr was characterized by several notable highlights, including four hat tricks and a controversial red card. His campaign also featured a suspension in February following an obscene gesture towards Al-Shabab fans who had been taunting him with chants of his long-time rival, Lionel Messi. Despite these challenges, Ronaldo’s prolific goal-scoring and high-impact performances demonstrated his enduring talent and competitive spirit.
Al-Nassr’s strong finish secured them a second-place spot in the league, trailing behind local rival Al-Hilal by 14 points. Al-Hilal clinched the championship title more than two weeks ago, completing the 34-round league undefeated. Even without Neymar, who joined the club from Paris Saint-Germain in August but was sidelined by a season-ending ACL injury in October, Al-Hilal remained dominant. Their impressive season underscored the competitive nature of the Saudi Pro League and set the stage for even greater excitement in the future.