New Delhi: Cristiano Ronaldo once again reminded the world why he is considered one of the greatest footballers of all time. In a crucial Saudi Pro League clash against Al-Riyadh, the veteran forward stepped up when his team needed him the most, scoring twice in the second half to help Al-Nassr seal an important comeback win and stay in the title race.
Al-Nassr had a shaky start to the match, conceding just before half-time as Al-Riyadh’s Faiz Selemani found the back of the net in first-half stoppage time, finishing off a rebound to give his side a 1-0 lead. The goal came as a blow to Al-Nassr, who were desperate for a win to close the gap at the top of the table.
But the Portuguese star, who is well known for delivering in big moments, came out with intent in the second half and turned the game on its head. The Portuguese striker scored the equaliser in the 56th minute with a close-range finish after a smart assist from his teammate and former Liverpool forward, Sadio Mane.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner later found the net again in the 64th minute as his volley stunned the world. With this performance, Ronaldo now has a staggering 933 goals to his name, which brings him closer to the legendary 1000-goal mark.
This Cristiano Ronaldo goal is just ridiculous 💥
(via @SPL) pic.twitter.com/TZW1crMIF4
— B/R Football (@brfootball) April 12, 2025
In the dying minutes, things got worse for Al-Riyadh when centre-back Ahmed Asiri was shown a red ard for slapping Duran on the head after a VAR check, but Ronaldo ensured his side would walk away with a crucial three points.
Al-Nassr are currently third in the league standings and are just a point behind Al-Hilal and eight behind the leaders, Al-Ittihad. While the title race remains intense, the captain’s form could make all the difference in the final stretch of the season. The 40-year-old has now scored 32 goals and provided four assists this season.
Ronaldo on chasing 1000 goal mark
Despite the growing talk around his pursuit of 1000 career goals, Ronaldo insists that he isn’t driven by that milestone. In the post-match presentation, the Portuguese star said, “Let’s enjoy the moment… I’m not chasing 1,000 goals as obsession.” He added, “If it happens, perfect. If it doesn’t happen, it’s okay.”
The Portuguese star also shared a more personal side of his mindset, acknowledging that he is in the final years of his playing career. “The moment is the most special thing — not what’s gonna come. Guys, let’s enjoy the present for now,” he said. He further reflected, “Records and having a certain number of goals left 70 or 69, that’s good yes. But now in the last years of my career I have to take advantage of the moment… and enjoy it. I want to continue like this step by step and championship after championship.”
At 40, Ronaldo is still going strong, proving that age is just a number. CR7’s hunger, discipline, and love for the game continue to shine through, and as long as he’s on the pitch, Al-Nassr have every reason to believe they can push for the title.
The Portuguese striker nets a stunning second-half brace to keep Al-Nassr in the title race, adding to his legendary football legacy. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
