Cristiano Ronaldo shone brilliantly against Damac, not only helping Al Nassr overcome early challenges in 2026 but also setting a historic record as the foreign player with the most goals for the club.
After a less than smooth start to the new year in Saudi Arabia, Cristiano Ronaldo continued to demonstrate his ability to change the game and reaffirm his influence at Al Nassr. The match against Damac was not just about earning three points; it also marked an important milestone, helping coach Jorge Jesus’s team regain stability and strengthen confidence in the race for the Saudi Pro League title.
Entering the match, Al Nassr faced heavy pressure after a streak of four winless games, which caused them to lose their advantage in the title race. Although they had just secured a dramatic victory over Al Shabab to relieve some pressure, the challenge posed by Damac remained risky. In this context, Ronaldo’s role was once again central, as the team needed a leader with the courage to make a difference.
The reality on the pitch quickly revealed the gap in quality between the two teams. Damac entered the match as one of the weakest sides in the league, having won only once in 15 matches and hovering near the relegation zone. Al Nassr swiftly took control of the game with superior ball possession and proactive play. In the 5th minute, Abdulrahman Ghareeb capitalized on a chance inside the box to open the scoring, setting the tone for the home team’s dominance.
Before halftime, Ronaldo also had a chance to score with a dangerous header, but goalkeeper Kewin made an excellent save. Nevertheless, the feeling of a decisive moment was present and arrived early in the second half. In the 50th minute, Joao Felix delivered a perfect pass from outside the box, allowing Ronaldo to neatly finish with his right foot, sending the ball beyond the goalkeeper’s reach and making it 2-0. This goal almost ended all hopes for Damac and allowed Al Nassr to fully control the match’s outcome.
Beyond its sporting significance, Ronaldo’s goal marked a memorable milestone in his career. It was his 960th goal across all competitions, and his 16th in the 2025-26 Saudi Pro League season, keeping the Portuguese superstar at the top of the scoring charts with an impressive strike rate, averaging nearly one goal per game.
Even more notably, this goal made Ronaldo part of Al Nassr’s history. He officially became the foreign player with the most goals for the club, totaling 116 goals and surpassing the previous record held by Abderrazak Hamdallah (115 goals). This achievement places Ronaldo as the leading foreign scorer for Al Nassr, far ahead of other notable names like Anderson Talisca, Ohene Kennedy, and Sadio Mané.
Joining Al Nassr at the start of 2023, Ronaldo has brought not only commercial value and media attraction but also left a significant mark on the sporting side. With this new milestone, he continues to affirm his iconic status, standing alongside domestic legends such as Majed Abdullah and Mohammad Al-Sahlawi in the club’s scoring history, while strengthening his leadership role in Al Nassr’s quest for trophies.