Cristiano Ronaldo produced yet another standout showing for Al Nassr, netting three times within a 15-minute span during an exciting 5-3 win against Al Kholood. The Portuguese attacker now sits on 985 career goals, edging closer to the landmark 1,000-goal achievement.
Watching from the stands was heavyweight boxing titleholder Oleksandr Usyk, who was visibly stunned by Ronaldo’s performance. When asked to sum up the Al Nassr skipper, the unbeaten fighter gave a brief response: “He’s an alien”.
Ronaldo’s treble shifts momentum in Al Nassr’s favour
Al Nassr were forced to battle for the three points after Al Kholood produced a surprisingly strong opening. The away side, under the guidance of Des Buckingham, were determined to halt a streak of four matches without a win and went ahead courtesy of Julien Domingues in the 16th minute.
Angelo levelled the score eight minutes later, with Joao Felix setting up the goal. Sadio Mane then edged the home side in front before the interval, but Al Kholood responded defiantly, with Loic Essomba drawing level in first-half added time to make it 2-2.
Ronaldo had already had first-half efforts disallowed, but his persistence paid off just past the hour. In the 66th minute, the forward timed his run to perfection to connect with Felix’s cut-back and restore Al Nassr’s advantage.
Six minutes later, the same duo combined for another goal. Felix whipped in a cross from the right, and Ronaldo climbed above the defence to send a powerful header into the net. The Portuguese international sealed his hat-trick in the 81st minute, finishing Mane’s pass with precision inside the box.
Cristiano Ronaldo moves to 985 career goals
The trio of goals against Al Kholood brought Ronaldo’s career total to 985, leaving him only 15 short of 1,000. The 40-year-old also picked up another Man of the Match accolade after his decisive contribution in an entertaining encounter.
Ronaldo took to social media to celebrate the result, commending his teammates and expressing contentment with his own input. “Great win, great team performance. Happy to help with a hat-trick!” he posted.
Felix also had a remarkable evening, ending with four assists. The reigning Saudi Pro League Player of the Season became just the second player to record four assists in a single match, highlighting his value to Al Nassr’s attacking play.
For Ronaldo, the treble marked another meaningful step towards a milestone that has become an increasingly prominent talking point. With 985 goals already to his name, the Portuguese star requires just 15 more to reach the unprecedented target.
Oleksandr Usyk gives his reaction to Ronaldo’s display
Usyk was present among the crowd at Al Awwal Park and got a close-up view of Ronaldo’s decisive impact. The Ukrainian boxing champion, who has cemented his place among the biggest names in heavyweight boxing, was clearly taken aback by what he saw.
His label of Ronaldo as “an alien” summed up the reaction to a performance in which the forward altered the course of the match inside just 15 minutes. For a champion used to extraordinary sporting feats, the Al Nassr captain’s consistency was evidently something remarkable.
Al Nassr maintains pressure on Saudi Pro League pace-setters
The win took Al Nassr to 28 points from 11 games, leaving them only one point adrift of league leaders Al Qadsiah. Brendan Rodgers’ team preserved their position at the top with a commanding 6-0 triumph over Al Riyadh.
Tijjani Reijnders netted a hat-trick in that fixture, while Julian Quinones also got on the scoresheet. Nevertheless, Ronaldo’s display ensured that attention stayed squarely on Al Nassr’s captain.
Al Kholood managed to add a third goal through Domingues, who converted a stoppage-time penalty to complete his brace. By that stage, however, the outcome was already settled.
Another three-goal showing, another crucial victory, and another step towards 1,000 career goals made it a night to remember for Ronaldo. Usyk’s verdict may have been concise, but it mirrored the admiration sparked by the Portuguese forward’s latest performance.