Cristiano Ronaldo (41, Al Nassr) made another piece of history.
Al Nassr defeated Al Shabab 4-2 in the 32nd round of the Saudi Pro League held on the 7th. With 82 points, Al Nassr moved a big step closer to the title, leading second-place Al Hilal by five points. Al Hilal has played one fewer match, but the momentum clearly favors Al Nassr.
From the start of the match Al Nassr's attack was explosive. João Félix rattled the opponent by scoring a brace within 10 minutes of kickoff. But Al Shabab did not collapse easily. At the end of the first half Yannick Carrasco's consolation goal kept the chase alive.
The player who broke the uneasy run was once again Ronaldo. In the 30th minute of the second half he calmly finished a cross from Sadio Mané in the penalty area. It meant more than a simple goal. It was Ronaldo's 100th goal in the Saudi Pro League.
Since his move to Saudi in the winter of 2023, Ronaldo has surpassed 100 league goals. Expanding the scope to all official matches, he already has 127 goals. His league tally this season also rose to 26 goals. His personal career total reached 971 goals.
At 41, Ronaldo remained the most reliable finisher. Al Nassr coach Jorge Jesus praised him, saying, "Ronaldo is always a dangerous player. He showed that again in today's match."
Al Shabab pulled within one goal late in the second half through a goal by Ali Al Bulayhi. But Félix completed a hat trick from the penalty spot to end the contest.
Now Ronaldo is aiming for the Saudi league title and Asian supremacy at the same time. The Al Nassr vs. Al Hilal match on the 12th is effectively the title decider. If they win there, Ronaldo will effectively clinch his first league title since joining Al Nassr.
The chance for Asian supremacy remains. Al Nassr will face Gamba Osaka in the AFC Champions League 2 final on the 16th. All eyes are on whether Ronaldo can lift his first major trophy on the Saudi stage.
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