Five-time Ballon d'Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo described his first goal of 2025 as “the best way to start the year” after Al-Nassr recorded a narrow win at home to strugglers Al-Otdoofa in the Saudi Professional League.
In the first match between the two teams since the winter break in Saudi Arabia, the visitors took the lead through winger Savior Goodwin at Al Awal Stadium in Riyadh before… Ronaldo scored a penalty kick Between Sadio Mane's double.
Ronaldo told his followers on social media: “I am very happy to start the year with a win and a goal,” accompanying his response with pictures of himself during the match. Winning 3-1. “Let's go. Best way to start the year.”
The number 1️⃣ in 2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣5️⃣ for CR7️⃣ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️#Roshen_Saudi_League pic.twitter.com/IKA1v0ZY4B
– Saudi Roshan League (@SPL_EN) January 9, 2025
Victory Against the Groove: Ronaldo's return for 2025
The first 28 minutes of Al Nasr's return to action were forgettable, as their relegation-threatened rivals took advantage of poor defending to take the lead in the sixth minute.
Sadio Mane scored the equalizer after it was ruled out by VAR in the 16th minute, but the Senegal icon converted from close range in the 29th minute for his first goal in eight appearances for club and country.
A foul on Mane allowed Ronaldo to score from the penalty spot three minutes before half-time, although the Portugal captain was denied a quick second goal by goalkeeper Paulo Vitor when he broke free just before half-time.
Former Bayern Munich and Liverpool striker Mane met Al-Ghanem's cross from the right side with a brilliant header to seal the win two minutes before the end of the second half, in which the underdogs sought an equaliser.
The first SIUUU of 2025 🐐#Roshen_Saudi_League pic.twitter.com/JKWcQvXJMM
– Saudi Roshan League (@SPL_EN) January 9, 2025
Ronaldo statistics 2024/25
Victory captain Ronaldo now has nine goals and one assist in his last six international and club appearances in all competitions.
The 39-year-old has 11 goals in the 2024/25 Saudi Professional League, which puts him behind the competition's top scorer Aleksandar Mitrovic, of Al Hilal.
The number 1️⃣ in 2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣5️⃣ for CR7️⃣ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️#Roshen_Saudi_League pic.twitter.com/IKA1v0ZY4B
– Saudi Roshan League (@SPL_EN) January 9, 2025
The result ended Al-Nasr's run of two consecutive defeats in all competitions and raised it to third place, eight points behind leaders Al-Ittihad and six points behind Al-Hilal, both of whom have a game more to play.
With Al-Hilal departing for 13th-placed Al-Orouba, and Al-Ittihad visiting second-placed Al-Fayhaa on Saturday, Al-Nasr's chances of making gains in the top two this week are slim – but they cannot afford to drop further. Points if they want to have any chance of a late title push.
Al-Nasr will play its next match on January 17 (5 pm GMT) against Al-Taawoun, which currently ranks ninth after winning five matches and losing five of the first 13 matches in the league.
