'Another step forward. Let’s keep going' - Ronaldo returns to fire Al Nassr title bid | OneFootball

Cristiano Ronaldo required only 18 minutes to mark his return to Roshn Saudi League action.

The Al Nassr captain, who’d missed the past two matches in the top-flight, volleyed home Sadio Mane’s cross not long into the encounter at Al Fateh, then treated the fans in Al Ahsa to his trademark “SIU” celebration.

The goal lifted Ronaldo to 18 for the 2025-26 RSL, moving him joint-second in the race for the golden boot he’s captured the past two seasons. Hauling himself alongside Al Qadsiah’s Julian Quinones, the pair now sit two back from frontrunner Ivan Toney.

More importantly, Ronaldo’s cushioned effort set Al Nassr on their way to a 2-0 victory. With 13 minutes remaining, Ayman Yahya met Kingsley Coman’s cross and thundered his shot past Fernando Pacheco in the home goal.

The win, Al Nassr’s seventh successive in the RSL, moved the 2018-19 champions back into second, one point behind Riyadh rivals Al Hilal. Al Ahli slip to third, three points back.

Having helped Al Nassr keep right on Al Hilal’s coattails with the 962nd goal of his unparalleled professional career, Man of the Match Ronaldo posted on his social media: “Another step forward. Let’s keep going.”

That quest continues next Saturday, at home to Al Hazem.