Cristiano Ronaldo rose to the occasion once again on Wednesday night, the Al Nassr captain doing what he’s made a superstar career out of.
On 76 minutes and with a game with serious title implications on the line, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner climbed highest to meet Joao Felix’s corner and head past Edouard Mendy.
It broke the deadlock between Roshn Saudi League leaders Al Nassr and third-placed Al Ahli at an ecstatic Al Awwal Park. It provided the platform, too, for Kingsley Coman to thrash home a half volley right on 90 minutes to send the majority of the 26,000-plus in attendance wild in celebration.
Chasing a first RSL trophy since 2019, the hosts had seen off their Asian-champion visitors 2-0. With four rounds remaining, Al Nassr’s advantage to second-placed Al Hilal extended again to eight points – even if those great Riyadh rivals do have a game in hand.
Al Nassr, determined to scratch that seven-year itch, can almost reach out and touch the title.
Not that Ronaldo, now with 99 goals on his RSL record, is letting up.
Kingsley Coman's spectacular half-volley makes it 2-0 for Al Nassr v Al Ahli
“The fight will be until the end,” the Al Nassr No.7 said immediately after collecting his Man of the Match award. “The most important thing is that the team did well.
“We deserved to win. We scored two goals in the second half; we created more opportunities. The first half was very balanced, very tactical, but we are on the right track.”
Ronaldo, 41 earlier this year but not showing much sign of slowing, continues to push Al Nassr forward. He has the past two RSL golden boots in his locker but, with a 25th goal of the 2025-26 campaign, sits only three back from current top scorer Julian Quinones, of Al Qadsiah.
The Al Nassr faithful were out in force v Al Ahli
It was obvious on Wednesday, at that packed Al Awwal Park, that Ronaldo continues to inspire. Not only teammates and those all around Al Nassr, but the millions of aspiring young fans who follow his every move.
“For me, it's a pride,” he said. “That's why I keep playing, not only for this current generation, but also for the next one. That's why I enjoy it. As I always say, day by day, game by game, year by year, because the end of my career is approaching. That's a fact.
Al Ahli fans make their presence felt in top-of-table clash at Al Nassr
“But the career I've had has been brilliant and I keep doing it. And the most important thing is to continue, because I keep enjoying it, I keep scoring goals.
“But the most important thing, as I said before, is to win. And we really want to win the league.”
