Al Nassr Football Club celebrated another important victory, defeating Al Fateh 3-1 on January 26, 2025. The match, held at Al Nassr’s home ground, saw star player Cristiano Ronaldo play a pivotal role, both on the scoreline and through his fiery responses to the referee's decisions.
The home side was eager for three points as they aimed to maintain their momentum in the title race against the struggling Al Fateh, who are currently at the bottom of the league standings. The contest began with excitement and anticipation, with fans hoping for another spectacular display from Ronaldo.
Just before the halftime break, Ronaldo appeared to have put Al Nassr on the board first, but his goal was disallowed for offside. Shortly after this disappointment, Al Nassr broke through when Al Fateh inadvertently scored an own goal. Mohamed Simakan then extended the lead to 2-0 shortly afterward. Al Fateh did attempt to mount a comeback, narrowing the score to 2-1 with a goal from Bento's error, but Al Nassr responded strongly.
Ronaldo scored Al Nassr's third goal with a brilliant finish off a cross from Sadio Mane, solidifying the team’s lead at 3-1. He thought he had scored again late in the match, but another goal was chalked off after VAR ruled it out for offside on his teammate Al-Sulaiheem earlier in the play.
After the final whistle, visible frustration showed on Ronaldo's face as he addressed nearby television cameras. The Portuguese legend was overheard speaking with his acquaintance, journalist Piers Morgan, who remarked, "You were robbed," to which Ronaldo replied, "They don't like me to score goals," expressing his disbelief at the referee's decisions. Morgan, echoing the sentiments of many fans, branded the situation as “ridiculous.”
Despite the disallowed goals, Ronaldo, who is now at the remarkable tally of 920 career goals, remained optimistic. On his X account, he reassured fans, saying, "We're not stopping," underlining his belief in the team's potential as they pursue the Saudi Pro League title.
With this latest performance, Ronaldo has effectively scored 20 goals over 23 matches this season, maintaining an impressive scoring rate approaching one goal per match. If he sustains his current form, fans are curious if he might reach as many as 940 goals by the end of the season, edging closer to his goal of 1,000 career goals.
While Ronaldo's presence has brought new vigor to Al Nassr, he steps onto the field following the footsteps of legends such as Mohammed Al Sahlawi, who reigned as one of the club's most prolific scorers and is cherished by fans. Al Sahlawi, who served as Al Nassr's all-time leading goal scorer at one point, enjoyed spectacular success during his tenure, securing numerous titles and memorable moments for the squad.
His legacy lingers, especially during moments like these where current players strive to emulate such greatness. While Saudi football has transformed dramatically, the passion and excitement surrounding Al Nassr remains fiercely intact, evidenced by the electric atmosphere at their matches. Fans will undoubtedly continue to support their team, hoping to witness another historic season.
With 19 more matches awaiting Al Nassr, including contests within the AFC Champions League, the stakes are high. Each performance counts, and with Ronaldo back on the score sheet, fans hope to see dazzling displays as he chases history and delivers pivotal moments on the pitch. This blend of anticipation and history fuels Al Nassr fans, as they not only cheer for present victories but also honor the greats who've paved the way.