Cristiano Ronaldo moved to within 18 goals of the 1,000-career-goal milestone after scoring in Al-Nassr’s 3-1 victory over Al-Faisaly in the Saudi Pro League on Friday.
The Portuguese forward scored with a second-half header in the 49th minute, converting a free-kick delivery from compatriot João Félix to take his reported career tally to 982.
The goal was initially reviewed by the video assistant referee following protests from Al-Nassr players, with the referee eventually ruling that Ronaldo was onside and allowing the strike to stand, according to Goal.
The decision generated debate among some supporters on social media, with claims that the ball might have gone into the net off an Al-Faisaly defender. However, the Saudi Pro League’s official records credited the goal to Ronaldo.
His strike doubled Al-Nassr’s lead after Abdullah Al-Hamdan opened the scoring in the fourth minute, assisted by Sadio Mané.
Al-Faisaly responded in the 66th minute through Theo Bongonda, reducing the deficit to 2-1 and raising hopes of a comeback.
Angelo Gabriel, however, scored in the 79th minute to seal the victory for Al-Nassr.
The result continued Al-Nassr’s Saudi Pro League campaign as the team travelled to Al-Majma’ah Sports City Stadium for the fixture.
The goal also made Al-Faisaly the 25th different team Ronaldo has scored against in the Saudi Pro League, according to statistics cited by Goal. He moved past former Al-Hilal forward Nasser Al-Shamrani, who scored against 24 different teams in the competition.
Ronaldo’s latest strike followed his reported 981st career goal, scored in Al-Nassr’s 3-1 victory over Uzbekistan’s Neftchi Fergana in the AFC Champions League Elite weeks earlier.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner now needs 18 more goals to reach 1,000 career strikes, a milestone that would place him among the few players in football history to achieve the feat.
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