Cristiano Ronaldo produced another outstanding display in the Saudi Pro League, scoring a superb hat-trick to inspire Al-Nassr to a 5-3 victory over Al-Kholood. At 41, the Portuguese forward continues to defy expectations, showing little sign of slowing down as he approaches one of football’s most remarkable individual milestones: 1,000 career goals.
Following the match, Ronaldo shared his satisfaction on social media, writing: “Great win. Great team performance. Happy to help with a hat-trick.”
Yet his brief message did not fully reflect the scale of his contribution. Ronaldo found the net five times during the contest, although two efforts were ruled out for offside. His three officially recognised goals formed a perfect hat-trick, with one scored using his left foot, another with a header and the third with his right foot. All three came within a remarkable 15-minute spell.
The first of his disallowed efforts came in the 11th minute, while another was ruled out during first-half stoppage time. With the score level at 2-2, Ronaldo took control of the contest after the break. He struck in the 66th, 72nd and 82nd minutes to complete his 67th career hat-trick and put Al-Nassr firmly on course for victory.
The three goals took his career tally to 985, leaving him just 15 short of the extraordinary 1,000-goal landmark. Having maintained an exceptional scoring record across different leagues, clubs and international competitions, Ronaldo is now within touching distance of a milestone that would further strengthen his place among football’s all-time greats.
Portuguese compatriot Joao Felix also played a significant part in the victory. The attacking midfielder was involved in four of Al-Nassr’s goals and provided two assists for Ronaldo. Their combination in the attacking third proved particularly effective, helping the home side overcome Al-Kholood.
The match was also Ronaldo’s first appearance since winning the ‘Ballon d’Or of All Time’ award after defeating Lionel Messi in a fan vote. Following the announcement, he expressed his gratitude to supporters through social media, writing: “Football fans. Thank you, everyone. The greatest Ballon d’Or of all time belongs to you too.”
The recognition appeared to provide an additional reason for celebration as Ronaldo returned to action at Al-Nassr’s home ground, Al-Awwal Park. His performance demonstrated the confidence and competitive spirit that have remained defining features of his career.
The hat-trick was his seventh for Al-Nassr, ending a lengthy wait for another treble in the Saudi club’s colours. His previous hat-trick for the side had come on 4 May 2024. The latest achievement was therefore particularly significant, marking his return to scoring three goals in a single match after approximately two and a half years.
Ronaldo’s contribution this season has also been impressive. He has scored nine goals in 12 appearances across all competitions, including eight in 10 Saudi Pro League matches. His continued consistency in front of goal highlights his importance to Al-Nassr, even at an age when most professional footballers have already retired.
Across his career, Ronaldo has recorded 67 hat-tricks for club and country. Real Madrid account for the largest share, with 44. He has scored 10 hat-tricks for Portugal, seven for Al-Nassr and three each for Manchester United and Juventus.
Meanwhile, his long-standing rivalry with Lionel Messi continues to feature prominently in discussions about football records. Ronaldo has scored 985 career goals, compared with Messi’s 936, giving the Portuguese forward a 49-goal advantage. Messi has also registered 62 career hat-tricks, five fewer than Ronaldo.
With only 15 goals separating him from the 1,000 mark, Ronaldo’s latest performance has added fresh momentum to an already extraordinary pursuit. His longevity, consistency and ability to deliver decisive performances continue to set him apart. For Al-Nassr supporters and football fans around the world, the prospect of witnessing him reach the historic milestone is becoming increasingly exciting.
