Cristiano Ronaldo is one step away from ending a five-year trophy drought, thanks to his brilliant performance that led Al-Nassr to a crucial 2-0 victory over rivals Al Ahli, bringing the team closer to glory in the Saudi Pro League. The Portuguese icon was once again decisive, driving the Riyadh giants to an impressive run of 20 consecutive wins across all competitions, consolidating their solitary lead at the top of the table.
In a tense and evenly matched duel for 75 minutes, Ronaldo demonstrated why he is a living legend of football. At 41 years old, he rose higher than anyone else to precisely head in a corner expertly taken by his compatriot João Félix, sending the ball into the top corner of the opponent’s goal, leaving goalkeeper Edouard Mendy motionless. This goal not only broke the deadlock but also marked the 25th strike of the star in the current league season, reinforcing his reputation as one of the deadliest finishers on the planet.
After the goal, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner celebrated with his trademark energy, leading his teammates to the corner flag, while Al-Nassr fans felt that the long-desired Saudi Pro League title, the first of the captain’s career at the club, was finally within reach.
But it wasn’t just Ronaldo who shone: Kingsley Coman, former star of Bayern Munich, secured the definitive victory by scoring the second goal in the 90th minute. The Frenchman capitalized on a defensive error by Al Ahli in clearing a dangerous corner and fired a powerful shot into the back of the net, sealing the win and eliminating any doubts about the final result.
This triumph extends Al-Nassr’s unbeaten run to 20 consecutive victories in all competitions, including 16 straight wins in the domestic league. The Riyadh team now leads the table with a comfortable eight-point advantage over Al-Hilal and 13 points over Al Ahli, with only four games left to play, while their rivals still have five rounds ahead. Although both pursuers can still mathematically dream of the title, surpassing the leader’s relentless pace seems like a Herculean task.
On an individual level, Ronaldo continues to defy time and expectations, achieving an impressive feat: scoring 25 or more goals in three consecutive seasons, something he hadn’t done since his legendary nine-year stint at Real Madrid. With a total of 970 career goals for club and country, 126 have been scored while playing for Al-Nassr.
In the race for the Saudi Pro League Golden Boot, the veteran Portuguese player is involved in a fierce battle. He is currently two goals behind second-placed Ivan Toney, forward for Al Ahli, and three goals behind leader Julian Quinones, who has scored 28 goals.
For Al Ahli, this defeat is a heavy blow in a season that has seen successes in other competitions, such as the recent defense of the AFC Champions League title. However, inconsistency in the domestic league is proving costly, and the gap to the top of the table seems insurmountable, with few games left to play.
With the title so close, the city of Riyadh is preparing for a grand celebration, while Ronaldo, who has revolutionized Saudi football since his arrival, is just days away from claiming his first major trophy in the Middle East – a milestone he has long awaited since swapping Europe for Saudi Arabia.
The football world is watching this historic moment for Cristiano Ronaldo and Al-Nassr, who promise even more excitement in the closing stages of the Saudi Pro League. The countdown to the end of the Portuguese legend’s trophy drought has begun, and no one wants to miss this epic conclusion.
This article first appeared on Apito Final.
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