After a brief winter break, the Saudi League reignited with Al-Nassr securing a 3-1 victory over Al-Ahli, marking a successful start. Mane scored twice in the match, while Cristiano Ronaldo also opened his scoring account for the new year with a penalty kick.
This particular penalty kick was significant as it marked Ronaldo's 917th career goal and his 60th goal in the Saudi League, coincidentally occurring in his 60th appearance in the league. This means he averages one goal per game in the Saudi League, making him the third-fastest player in league history to reach 60 goals, with an additional 15 assists. It is also his 24th consecutive calendar year scoring goals.
However, as usual, this penalty kick provided detractors with ammunition to criticize Ronaldo, claiming that he only scores from penalties. Out of his 11 league goals this season, six were from penalties, and some have even calculated that since the 2022 World Cup, 27% of his goals have been penalties.
Despite the criticism, Ronaldo, who is accustomed to media scrutiny, remains unaffected. He maintains a positive attitude during training and matches, often seen smiling on the field. This resilience not only helps him stay focused but also translates into increased publicity and financial gain. In fact, he topped the football income chart in 2024 with earnings of 260 million euros, significantly ahead of others.
Some question Ronaldo's contributions beyond scoring penalties. While detailed tactical analysis is beyond the scope of this article, it can be summarized that Ronaldo's mere presence on the field demands constant attention from defenders, regardless of his current form. Even if he were to relax, no defender would dare underestimate him.
While critics engage in petty arguments, Ronaldo has clear objectives. On a team level, he aims to win the AFC Champions League with Al-Nassr and participate in the 2026 World Cup, making one final push. On a personal level, he seeks to achieve two milestones: one frequently discussed in the media and another significant yet less mentioned—scoring 100 goals for Al-Nassr.
Why is this record significant? Ronaldo has previously scored over 100 goals for three clubs: Manchester United (145 goals), Real Madrid (450 goals), and Juventus (101 goals). If he scores over 100 goals for Al-Nassr, he will become the first player to achieve this feat for four different clubs. Including the Portuguese national team, he would have scored over 100 goals for five teams. This record may be even harder for future generations to surpass than scoring 1000 goals.
Currently, Ronaldo has scored 81 goals for Al-Nassr, needing 19 more to reach the century mark. If all goes well, he could achieve this milestone this season. Despite recent rumors of his potential departure, they remain just that—rumors. It is likely that Ronaldo will still be part of Al-Nassr next season.