Cristiano Ronaldo, even at 40 years old, continues to command the spotlight with his relentless drive, unyielding commitment, and a goalscoring hunger that refuses to age. This past Wednesday night, under the lights in Riyadh, the Portuguese icon reminded the soccer world why he remains one of the game’s most prolific players. Al-Nassr secured a 2-0 […]
Cristiano Ronaldo, even at 40 years old, continues to command the spotlight with his relentless drive, unyielding commitment, and a goalscoring hunger that refuses to age. This past Wednesday night, under the lights in Riyadh, the Portuguese icon reminded the soccer world why he remains one of the game’s most prolific players. Al-Nassr secured a 2-0 win over Al-Khaleej in their penultimate match of the Saudi Pro League season, thanks in no small part to Ronaldo’s dramatic stoppage-time penalty.
It wasn’t all smooth sailing. Ronaldo missed an earlier penalty in the 65th minute, but when Al-Nassr were awarded another spot-kick deep into added time, he stepped up again—and delivered in the 97th minute to seal the victory.
With the goal, he inched even closer to yet another landmark. One final game remains this season—a match that could either etch his name into history once more, or mark a missed opportunity if his time in Saudi Arabia ends this summer.
The 2024-25 campaign has been remarkably productive for the Portuguese veteran. Across all competitions, he has played 40 matches, scoring 34 goals and providing 4 assists. Those are numbers that most strikers would envy—let alone one playing in his fifth decade.
His latest goal was the 935th of his professional career, a staggering tally for someone who debuted back in 2002. And it came in what was the club’s final home game of the season, a poetic moment in front of the fans who have embraced him since his high-profile move from Europe in 2023.
The record at stake
Midway through his Saudi Pro League journey, Ronaldo now stands just two goals away from scoring 100 goals with four different clubs—a feat that no other player in history has achieved. He already holds the following tallies:
- 450 goals with Real Madrid
- 145 goals with Manchester United
- 101 goals with Juventus
- 98 goals with Al-Nassr
If he finds the net twice in the final match of the season, he will reach the 100-goal mark for a fourth club, an achievement that would further cement his legacy as perhaps the most consistent scorer the game has ever seen.
Uncertain future amid contract talks
While the focus remains on that final league match, Ronaldo’s future at Al-Nassr is far from certain. His contract is due to expire this summer, and although reports earlier claimed he had agreed in principle to a lucrative extension—allegedly worth €185 million per year—recent frustrations have led him to stall renewal talks.
Insiders suggest that Ronaldo has grown disillusioned with the club’s lack of sporting ambition, especially after another trophyless season. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner, who has built his career on winning, is believed to be “no longer fully convinced by Al-Nassr’s sporting plan.” If he leaves now, the record will remain just out of reach.
