Five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo has called his first goal of 2025 the “best way to start the year” after Al-Nassr secured a nervy win at home to Saudi Pro League strugglers Al-Akhdoud.
In both sides’ first match since the winter break in Saudi Arabia, the visitors took the lead through winger Saviour Godwin at Riyadh’s Al-Awwal Park before Ronaldo scored a penalty in between Sadio Mane’s double.
“So glad to start the year with a win and a goal,” Ronaldo told his millions of followers on social media, accompanying his response with photos of himself during the 3-1 victory. “Let’s go. Best way to start the year.”
Number 1️⃣ in 2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣5️⃣ for CR7️⃣ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️#RoshnSaudiLeague pic.twitter.com/IKA1v0ZY4B
— Roshn Saudi League (@SPL_EN) January 9, 2025
Al-Nassr vs Al-Akhdoud: Ronaldo returns for 2025
The first 28 minutes of Al-Nassr’s return to action were forgettable ones, with their relegation-threatened opponents capitalising on poor defending to take a sixth-minute lead.
Sadio Mane had an equaliser ruled out by a Video Assistant Referee check in the 16th minute, but the two-time African Footballer of the Year converted from close range in the 29th minute with his first goal in eight games for club and country.
A foul on Mane then allowed Ronaldo to slot in from the spot three minutes before the break, although the Portugal captain was denied a swift second by goalkeeper Paulo Vitor when he broke clear just before half-time.
Former Bayern Munich and Liverpool forward Mane met Al-Ghannam’s inviting cross from the right with an expert header to seal victory two minutes from the end of a second half in which the underdogs pushed for an equaliser.
The first SIUUU of 2025 🐐#RoshnSaudiLeague pic.twitter.com/JKWcQvXJMM
— Roshn Saudi League (@SPL_EN) January 9, 2025
Ronaldo 2024/25 stats
Al-Nassr captain Ronaldo now has nine goals and one assist in his last six international and club matches in all competitions.
The 39-year-old has 11 goals in the 2024/25 Saudi Pro League, putting him one behind competition top scorer Aleksandar Mitrovic, of Al-Hilal.
Number 1️⃣ in 2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣5️⃣ for CR7️⃣ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️#RoshnSaudiLeague pic.twitter.com/IKA1v0ZY4B
— Roshn Saudi League (@SPL_EN) January 9, 2025
The result ended Al-Nassr’s run of two consecutive defeats in all competitions and lifted them to third, eight points behind leaders Al-Ittihad and six behind Al-Hilal, both of whom have a game more to play.
With Al-Hilal away to 13th-placed Al-Orobah and Al-Ittihad visiting second-bottom Al-Feiha on Saturday, the chances of Al-Nassr gaining ground on the top two this week is slim – but they cannot afford to drop more points if they are to have any chance of a late surge for the title.
Al-Nassr are next in action on January 17 (5pm GMT) at Al-Taawoun, who are currently ninth after winning five and losing five of their first 13 league games.