RIYADH: Cristiano Ronaldo opened his scoring account for the year 2025 with a penalty kick in a 3-1 win with Al-Nassr early this morning.
The 39-year-old veteran striker and his teammates enjoyed a winter break and returned to action in the Saudi Pro League (SPL) as they look to close the gap on league leaders Al-Ittihad.
It took only 42 minutes for the former Real Madrid and Manchester United striker to score in his first match after the break.
Their opponents Al-Akhdoud, however, surprised them by taking the lead after six minutes before Al-Nassr responded through former Liverpool winger Sadio Mane, who then scored the third goal.
After Mane’s equaliser, Al-Nassr were awarded a penalty and Ronaldo calmly finished it, putting his team in front.
The Portuguese striker fired a powerful shot into the right corner of the goal before celebrating with his teammates.
By scoring that goal, it was the 24th consecutive year that Ronaldo has scored in professional football since his first in 2002.
Ronaldo was recently reported to have asked Al-Nassr to sign Casemiro from Manchester United in what is seen as a critical factor in determining his future.
The Portuguese icon is in the final six months of his £175 million-a-year contract with the SPL club and is considering a move to another club.
He and Casemiro won 12 trophies together at Real Madrid, including four Champions Leagues and two La Ligas, while they also teamed up at Manchester United under Erik ten Hag.