Cristiano Ronaldo answered the most turbulent week of his career in the most familiar way possible: with a goal. The 41-year-old marked his first match for Al-Nassr since walking out on Portugal's national team camp by scoring the opening goal in a 3-0 Saudi Pro League win over Diriyah on Friday — the 980th goal of his remarkable career.
The defending champions moved level on points with leaders Al-Qadsiah on goal difference, though several teams below them were still to play over the weekend. For Ronaldo, the evening was about far more than the three points: it was his public response to the international controversy that has dominated football headlines for the past fortnight.
A hero's welcome
There was never any doubt where the Al-Nassr fans stood in the Portugal saga. A huge banner unfurled before kickoff at Al Awwal Park read "greatness is earned" alongside Ronaldo's famed number seven, and the supporters chanted his name in the seventh minute — a ritual of devotion that has followed him across continents.
Ronaldo had left Portugal's squad last week after being an unused substitute in the side's 2-1 UEFA Nations League win away at Norway on September 27. In a lengthy statement posted on Tuesday, he said recently hired Portugal coach Jorge Jesus — the man who guided Al-Nassr to the Saudi title in May — had broken his word about when he would play the striker in the Nations League.
The 146-goal record scorer for Portugal added in the same statement that he would remain available for the national team, though it remains to be seen whether he faces punishment for walking out on the squad. Chronicle previously covered Ronaldo's full statement on the Portugal exit and the Norway match that triggered the row.
Goal number 980
The goal itself was pure Ronaldo: anticipation, instinct, inevitability. Former Bayern Munich winger Kingsley Coman surged through midfield and let fly from range; Diriyah goalkeeper Waleed Ali could only parry the effort, and Ronaldo pounced on the rebound to sweep home from close range in the 23rd minute, according to ESPN.
Another Portugal international, Samú Costa, doubled Al-Nassr's advantage in the 35th minute before Coman sealed the victory in the 77th. The win keeps Al-Nassr, now coached by former Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou, firmly in the title race behind Al-Qadsiah, who earlier thrashed Al-Kholood 5-0.
"Job done. On to the next one!" Ronaldo posted on social media after the game, accompanied by a photograph of him celebrating the goal.
The thousand-goal horizon
With 980 career goals, Ronaldo edges ever closer to the once-unthinkable milestone of 1,000 — a target he has openly discussed. Twenty goals in the remainder of the season would take him there before his 42nd birthday, and the way he attacked the Diriyah defence on Friday suggested he has no intention of slowing down.
For now, the Portugal question hangs over him. The federation has yet to announce whether walking out on the camp will carry disciplinary consequences. But on club duty at least, the answer to every doubt remains the same: the ball, the net, the celebration.
Key takeaways
- Cristiano Ronaldo scored the opener in Al-Nassr's 3-0 win over Diriyah — career goal number 980.
- It was his first match since walking out on Portugal's camp after the Norway Nations League game.
- Al-Nassr moved level on points with Saudi Pro League leaders Al-Qadsiah on goal difference.
- Kingsley Coman and Samú Costa also scored; Al-Qadsiah thrashed Al-Kholood 5-0 the same day.
- Ronaldo said he remains available for Portugal, though disciplinary consequences are still possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many career goals does Ronaldo have now?
- He reached the milestone with the opening goal against Diriyah, putting him 20 short of the 1,000-goal mark.
Why did Ronaldo leave the Portugal squad?
He walked out on the camp after being an unused substitute in Portugal's 2-1 Nations League win in Norway on September 27, saying in a statement that coach Jorge Jesus had broken his word about when he would play.
Who coaches Al-Nassr now?
Former Tottenham Hotspur boss Ange Postecoglou. Jorge Jesus, the previous Al-Nassr coach, is now in charge of the Portugal national team.
Where do Al-Nassr sit in the Saudi Pro League?
They are level on points with leaders Al-Qadsiah on goal difference, with several teams below them still to play this weekend.
