 "Al Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo is 43 goals away from 1000-goal milestone. Image: Reuters")
Cristiano Ronaldo scored from his back as he inched closer to the 1,000 career goals landmark, but his team, Al Nassr, lost crucial points in the Saudi Pro League title race, playing out a 2-2 draw against Al Ettifaq on Tuesday at the Prince Mohammed Bin Fahd Stadium in Dammam. Ronaldo scored the second goal for Al Nassr in the match when a shot from Joao Felix in the 67th minute hit Ronaldo’s back and beat the goalkeeper to give the Riyadh-based side a 2-1 lead.
This is 40-year-old Ronaldo’s 957th career goal. He is hoping to become the first footballer to score 1,000 career goals. The Portuguese star has already scored 13 goals in 11 Saudi Pro League matches this season.
Ronaldo’s latest goal, however, could not help Al Nassr secure a win, as a Georginio Wijnaldum brace helped Al Ettifaq to a 2-2 draw. Joao Felix had scored the opening goal for Al Nassr.
Ronaldo scores but Al Nassr’s winning streak ends
The disappointing result ended Al Nassr’s 10-game winning streak in the Saudi Pro League. It’s also their first draw of the season and they are yet to lose a match, leading the standings with 31 points from 11 games.
“It was an entertaining match for both sides, and one of Al Nassr’s best performances this season. Despite our clear dominance, football doesn’t always reward the superior team in every match, and the statistics were in our favor,” Al Nassr coach Jorge Jesus said after the match.
“The most important thing is that we didn’t lose this match, because our opponent played well and relied on counterattacks. We will return to Riyadh and prepare for what’s next.”
Jorge Jesus added that there will be more tough moments for the club in the future.
“I don’t know what you mean by ‘lost.’ We score and win in all matches, and our situation can’t be judged as positive only when we win. Sometimes you do everything right and still don’t win.”
Ronaldo has not won the Saudi Pro League since moving to Al Nassr in January 2023. He would hope to win the league title this season. Al Taawoun are currently second with 28 points from 11 matches.
Recently, after being named the Middle East Player of the Year at the Globe Soccer Awards, Ronaldo announced that the 1000-goal mark and Saudi Pro League title remain his top priority.
“I want to keep going. You already know my goal — I want to win more trophies and reach that number everyone talks about, as long as injuries allow me to,” said the Portuguese forward.