Cristiano Ronaldo Reaches 961 Goals As Al-Nassr Faces Al-Kholood In Saudi Pro League Clash

Cristiano Ronaldo’s name has long been synonymous with footballing greatness, but on January 30, 2026, he added another remarkable chapter to his storied career. The Portuguese superstar, now leading the line for Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League, scored a stunning team goal to reach an astonishing 961 career goals. This latest milestone comes as Al-Nassr visited Al-Kholood in Buraidah for a crucial Matchday 19 clash, with both teams fighting for very different objectives in a season full of twists and tension.

As the Saudi Pro League campaign enters its defining stretch, few fixtures have been as eagerly anticipated as this encounter. For Al-Nassr, momentum has returned after a rocky midseason spell, and the club remains firmly entrenched in the title race. Al-Kholood, on the other hand, finds itself in a battle for survival, hovering just above the relegation zone and desperate for points to avoid the drop. The stakes couldn’t be higher.

Al-Kholood’s recent form has been a cause for concern among their supporters. Coming off a 2-1 home defeat to Al-Ettifaq, the club has now lost four of its last five league matches. With only five wins from 17 games, 12 losses, and a total of 25 goals scored against 32 conceded, Al-Kholood sits 13th in the table with 15 points. Their home record at King Abdullah Sport City Stadium tells a similar story: just two victories in nine matches, a statistic that underscores their struggles in front of their own fans.

Yet, under the guidance of Des Buckingham, Al-Kholood has managed to maintain a sense of structure and discipline, even if lapses in concentration and a lack of attacking bite have repeatedly undermined their efforts. The pressure is mounting, and with the margin for error shrinking, every point is now vital. Ramiro Enrique, the club’s leading scorer with 10 league goals, once again shoulders much of the attacking responsibility. Buckingham, at least, has the comfort of a near-full squad, allowing him to field a settled lineup in this high-stakes fixture.

Across the pitch, Al-Nassr arrives in Buraidah as a team on a mission. Jorge Jesus’s men currently sit third in the league table with 40 points from 17 matches, trailing leaders Al-Hilal by six points and second-placed Al-Ahli by three. With the title race heating up and little room for error, anything short of victory risks ceding ground to their rivals. The return of Sadio Mane to the starting XI, after completing 88 minutes in the previous game against Al-Taawoun, provides a timely boost. However, the absence of midfielder Marcelo Brozovic due to injury means Al-Nassr will need to adjust their midfield balance.

Of course, all eyes remain fixed on Cristiano Ronaldo. The legendary forward’s presence in the lineup had been the subject of intense speculation in the lead-up to the match. According to Arriyadhiyah, Ronaldo missed several training sessions in recent weeks due to physical fatigue, with the coaching staff opting for caution over risk. The report stated, “The absence was attributed to physical fatigue, with the coaching staff opting for caution rather than risk.” Yet, this is not unfamiliar territory for Ronaldo. Just two weeks prior, he had also skipped full training ahead of a match against Damac, only to play the full 90 minutes and score the decisive goal. That pattern has repeated, with Ronaldo once again leading the line, demonstrating both his enduring importance to the team and the delicate balancing act required by the coaching staff as the fixture list intensifies.

For the fans, the confirmed lineups offered plenty to discuss. Al-Kholood lined up with Cozzani in goal; a back four of Ramzi, Gyomber, Pinas, and Camara; a midfield trio of Al-Aliwa, N’Doram, and Hattam; and an attacking unit featuring Buckley, Sawaan, and Enrique. Al-Nassr countered with Bento in goal; defenders Al-Nasser, Simakan, Martinez, and Al-Ghannam; a midfield of Coman, Angelo, Al-Hassan, and Mane; and a forward pairing of Joao Felix and the ever-present Ronaldo.

Ronaldo’s extraordinary career has been defined by his relentless pursuit of excellence and his ability to deliver on the biggest stages. His journey has taken him from Sporting CP to Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus, and now Al-Nassr, with each chapter marked by record-breaking achievements. During his time at Juventus from 2018 to 2021, Ronaldo scored 101 goals in 134 appearances and won five trophies. Notably, he also played a role in transfer discussions, suggesting the club sign several high-profile players, including Marcelo, Sergio Ramos, Ivan Rakitic, Samuel Umtiti, and Jasper Cillessen. While none of those moves ultimately materialized, Ronaldo’s influence off the pitch was as significant as his impact on it.

Marcelo, Ronaldo’s close friend and former Real Madrid teammate, was one of the first names he tried to bring to Juventus. The pair played 332 games together at Madrid, combining for 33 goals, but despite Ronaldo’s efforts, Marcelo never received an offer from the Italian club and eventually retired in 2024 after stints with Olympiacos and Fluminense. Similarly, Ronaldo’s attempt to reunite with Sergio Ramos in 2020 did not come to fruition, with Ramos moving to PSG in 2021 and currently without a club in 2026. Ivan Rakitic later revealed, “It’s true that in 2019 Cristiano Ronaldo called me and said: ‘Come join us at Juventus’, and to be honest, I would have loved to play in Italy. It’s one of the regrets of my career.” Rakitic, who retired in 2025, now serves as technical director at Hajduk Split. Ronaldo’s push for Samuel Umtiti and Jasper Cillessen also fell short, with Umtiti now a free agent and Cillessen back in the Eredivisie with NEC.

Back in Buraidah, the focus remains on the present. The Saudi Pro League’s title race is as tight as ever, and Ronaldo’s relentless drive continues to inspire his teammates and fans alike. Al-Nassr’s quest for glory is far from over, and with Ronaldo still finding the net at age 40, the legend shows no signs of slowing down. As the match unfolds, both Al-Kholood and Al-Nassr are fighting for their futures—one for survival, the other for silverware. The drama in the Saudi Pro League is as compelling as ever, and with Cristiano Ronaldo at center stage, anything feels possible.

As the action continues in Buraidah, all eyes remain on the pitch, where every touch, tackle, and goal could prove decisive in shaping the destiny of both clubs. The story of this season, and of Ronaldo’s remarkable journey, is still being written.