Cristiano Ronaldo Scores for Al Nassr | Nearing 1000 Career Goals

Cristiano Ronaldo marked his return to action for Al Nassr with a goal against Al Fateh on Saturday, further closing in on a historic milestone of 1,000 career goals. The 41-year-old Portuguese forward found the net in the 18th minute of Matchday 22 of the Saudi Pro League, opening the scoring at Prince Abdullah Bin Jalawi Stadium.

The goal was Ronaldo’s 962nd of his professional career, as reported by beinsports.com, bringing him within striking distance of the coveted 1,000-goal mark. He tapped home a delivery inside the box, celebrating with his signature “Siuu” jump and arm raise.

This latest strike comes after a period of reported frustration for Ronaldo, according to Portuguese media outlet A Bola. Concerns had been raised regarding the management of Al Nassr by the Public Investment Fund, with Ronaldo allegedly feeling that Al Hilal, who recently signed Karim Benzema, were receiving preferential treatment. The report also suggested that delayed payments to club employees and staff were a source of discontent, though A Bola reported that the club addressed these concerns and settled all outstanding payments in response to Ronaldo’s pressure.

Ronaldo’s return to the pitch followed a voluntary two-week absence. While the exact reasons for his absence were not detailed, his immediate impact with a goal underscores his continued scoring prowess. This goal adds to a remarkable season for the veteran forward, who already had 17 goals for Al Nassr prior to this match, equaling Mexican Julián Quiñones for the league lead as of January 30, 2026, according to ESPN. England striker Ivan Toney trails closely behind with 18 goals.

Prior to Saturday’s match against Al Fateh, Ronaldo had scored his 961st career goal against Al Kholood, as reported by bolavip.com. That goal came in a 3-0 victory for Al Nassr on January 30, 2026, at King Abdullah Sport City Stadium in Buraydah. João Félix provided the assist for that goal, delivering a pass from the left side of the penalty area that Ronaldo converted.

The January 30th match against Al Kholood also saw Mohamed Simakan extend Al Nassr’s lead to 2-0 shortly after Ronaldo’s goal. Al Kholood were then reduced to 10 men after Hatan Bahbri received a second yellow card, and Ronaldo was subsequently substituted for Aiman ​​Yahya.

Al Nassr’s victory over Al Kholood was part of a three-game winning streak for the team, following a prior stretch of three losses and one draw. As of January 30, 2026, Al Nassr sat third in the Saudi Pro League table with 40 points, six points behind league leader Al Hilal, but with a game in hand. The team had previously defeated Al Kholood 2-0 on September 14, 2025, thanks to goals from Iñigo Martínez and Sadio Mané.

Ronaldo has won the Saudi Pro League Golden Boot in two consecutive seasons, demonstrating his consistent goal-scoring ability. His pursuit of 1,000 career goals continues to captivate fans and observers alike. The veteran forward’s ability to remain a dominant force in a new league, even after turning 41, is a testament to his dedication, and skill.

The recent performance and return to form are crucial for Al Nassr as they aim to close the gap on Al Hilal and compete for the league title. The team’s ability to maintain momentum will be key, particularly against teams positioned lower in the table. With 34 matches in the season, every point is vital in the competitive Saudi Pro League.