WATCH: Cristiano Ronaldo Scores Record 50th Goal as Al Nassr Draws with Al Raed
Cristiano Ronaldo is closing in on a remarkable milestone, now only eight goals away from his 900th career goal for both club and country after netting in Al Nassr FC’s Saudi Pro League 2024 season opener. The Portuguese superstar kicked off the season impressively by scoring his record 50th goal in the Saudi Pro League during the match against Al Raed on Thursday, August 22.
Ronaldo had a chance to secure the victory with 15 minutes left in the game when he found the net for a second time. However, after an extensive VAR review, the goal was disallowed due to an offside ruling. As a result, Al Nassr’s opening match of the SPL 2024 season ended in a 1-1 draw, despite Ronaldo initially putting his team in the lead with a 34th-minute strike.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner, who set a Saudi Pro League record last season with 35 goals, opened his account for the new season with a powerful close-range header. This marked Ronaldo’s 50th goal in just 48 appearances in the Saudi Pro League, demonstrating his consistent scoring ability.
With this latest goal, Ronaldo is now just eight goals away from achieving his 900th career goal milestone. Al Raed, who finished 12th in the league last season, managed to equalize early in the second half through Mohammed Fouzair.
Adding to Ronaldo and Al Nassr’s frustration, they were denied a penalty for handball deep into stoppage time, even after the referee reviewed the incident on the pitch-side monitor. Since joining Al Nassr after his departure from Manchester United in December 2022, Ronaldo is still in pursuit of his first major trophy with the Saudi club.
Last season, Al Nassr finished as runners-up to Al Hilal in both the Saudi Pro League and the Saudi King’s Cup, and they were once again defeated by their Riyadh rivals in the Saudi Super Cup recently.
Despite turning 40 next February, Ronaldo continues to display his exceptional athleticism. He showcased his trademark leap and neck power to score a stunning header, getting ahead of his defender to power the ball into the net. This goal was Ronaldo’s 25th of the calendar year, proving that age is just a number for the prolific striker.
Watch as Cristiano Ronaldo scores a record-tying goal as Al Nassr and Al Raed settle for a draw.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s goal in Al Nassr FC’s Saudi Pro League 2024 season opener puts him just eight goals away from achieving his 900th career goal for club and country.
Superstar Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal and Al Nassr FC got the Saudi Pro League 2024 season underway in spectacular fashion on Thursday, August 22, when he scored his league record 50th goal against Al Raed. With fifteen minutes left in the match, Ronaldo had a chance to complete the victory.
After a thorough investigation by the referee using VAR, the Portuguese sensation scored his second goal, but it was determined that he was off-side.
This resulted in a 1-1 draw for Al Nassr in the SPL 2024, despite Ronaldo’s goal in the 34th minute putting his team ahead. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner, who scored 35 goals in the Saudi Pro league the previous season, scored his opening goal of the current campaign in the 34th minute with a strong header from close range. Ronaldo scored his 50th goal in 48 Saudi Pro League games with the goal.
Remarkably, Ronaldo is currently only eight goals away from reaching 900 goals in his career. However, Mohammed Fouzair of Al Raed, who placed 12th the previous season, tied the score four minutes into the second half.
Deep into stoppage time in the second half, Al Nassr was refused a penalty for a handball, which further infuriated Ronaldo and his squad. The referee examined the event on the pitch-side monitor. After leaving Manchester United in December 2022, Ronaldo joined Al Nassr and is still chasing his first big prize.
After finishing second to Al Hilal in the Saudi Pro League and Saudi King’s Cup the previous season, Ronaldo’s team lost to the Riyadh team once more in the Saudi Super Cup on Saturday.
With his 25th goal of the year against Al-Raed, the 39-year-old Portuguese forward is now just eight goals away from 900 career goals for club and nation.
Ronaldo showed he still has the strength in his neck muscles and the leap to score amazing headers, even if he might turn 40 in February. To demonstrate that he still had it in him, he moved stealthily ahead of his defender and unleashed a bullet header.