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Five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo called his first goal of 2025 “the best way to start the year” after Al-Nassr secured a nervy win at home to Saudi Professional League strugglers Al-Akhdoud.
In both sides’ first game since the winter break in Saudi Arabia, the visitors took the lead through Savior Godwin’s winger at Riyadh’s Al-Awwal Park before Ronaldo scored a penalty between Sadio Mane’s doubles.
“I’m so happy 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 Victory 3-1. “Let’s go. The best way to start the year.”
Number 1️⃣ in 2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣5️⃣ for CR7️⃣ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️#RoshnSaudi League 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, and the relegation-threatened opponents took advantage of poor defending to take the lead in the sixth minute.
Sadio Mane managed to score an equalizer in the 16th minute through video review by the assistant referee, but the Senegalese icon converted from close range in the 29th minute for his first goal in eight games for club and country.
A foul on Mane then allowed Ronaldo to cross from the spot three minutes before the break, although the Portuguese captain was denied a quick second chance by goalkeeper Paulo Vitor when he cleared just before half-time.
Former Bayern Munich and Liverpool striker Mane met Al-Ghannam’s inviting cross from the right with an expert header to seal victory two minutes into a second half that saw the underdogs looking for an equaliser.
The first SIUUU in 2025 🐐#RoshnSaudi League pic.twitter.com/JKWcQvXJMM
— Roshn Saudi League (@SPL_EN) January 9, 2025
Ronaldo statistics 2024/25
Al-Nassra 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, which puts him one behind the competition’s top scorer Aleksandar Mitrovic of Al-Hilal.
Number 1️⃣ in 2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣5️⃣ for CR7️⃣ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️#RoshnSaudi League pic.twitter.com/IKA1v0ZY4B
— Roshn Saudi League (@SPL_EN) January 9, 2025
The result ended Al-Nassr’s two-match losing streak in all competitions and lifted them to third place, eight points behind leaders Al-Ittihad and six behind Al-Hilal, both of whom have a game in hand.
With Al-Hilal away to 13th-placed Al-Orobah and Al-Ittihad away to second-placed Al-Feih on Saturday, there’s little chance of Al-Nassr cementing their place in the top two this week – but they can’t afford to drop any further points if they are to have any chance of a late surge for the title.
Al-Nassr are next in action on January 17 (17:00 GMT) at Al-Taawoun, who are currently ninth after five wins and five losses from their first 13 league games.
