Cristiano Ronaldo marked his first appearance since turning 41 in emphatic fashion, scoring in Al Nassr’s crucial 2-0 victory over Al Fateh at the Prince Abdullah Bin Jalawi Stadium. After missing three matches amid a dispute with club management, all eyes were on the Portuguese icon’s return — and he responded in trademark style.
Just 18 minutes into the contest, Sadio Mane delivered a sharp cross into the box, and Ronaldo met it first time, guiding a composed finish into the bottom right corner. It was a calm, clinical strike — the kind that has defined his career across two decades of elite football. The goal instantly shifted the momentum and underlined his enduring importance to the squad.
Title race intensifies
The victory keeps Al Nassr firmly in the Saudi Pro League title race. The standings paint a dramatic picture: Al Hilal sit top of the table with 53 points from 21 matches, while Al Nassr are second with 52 points from 20 games. Al Ahli follow closely in third with 50 points from 21 matches.
With a game in hand and just a single point separating them from the summit, Al Nassr’s momentum could prove decisive in the coming weeks. After taking the lead, they controlled large spells of the match against Al Fateh. The win was sealed in the 78th minute when Ayman Yahya added a second goal, ensuring all three points and maintaining pressure at the top.
Closing in on history
Beyond the immediate impact on the standings, Cristiano Ronaldo’s strike carried historic significance. It was his first goal since celebrating his birthday on February 5, 2026. More impressively, he has now scored in 24 consecutive calendar years — from 2002 to 2026 — a feat that highlights extraordinary longevity.
The goal also marked the 962nd official strike of his professional career for club and country, edging him closer to the unprecedented 1000-goal milestone.
Even at 41, Cristiano Ronaldo continues to redefine greatness. Against Al Fateh, his return was more than symbolic — it was another chapter in an ever-expanding legacy.