Ronaldo opens for Al-Nassr against Al-Diriyah and nets 980th goal

With an opening goal for Al‑Nassr against Al‑Diriyah, Cristiano Ronaldo on Friday evening not only confirmed his place in the starting lineup, but also reached the magical 980th goal of his career, a milestone that temporarily silences the discussion about his departure from the Portuguese national team.

Return after Portugal saga

The 41‑year‑old star was the centre of a conflict with national team coach Jorge Jesus during the recent international break, after which he left the Portuguese camp immediately and missed the remaining two internationals. After a brief negotiation both parties settled the dispute, allowing Ronaldo to appear on the field again on Friday.

For Al‑Nassr he received a starting spot and was welcomed by a gigantic banner bearing the text ‘Greatness is earned’, a clear show of support from the Saudi fans.

Goal and significance

After a quarter of an hour of play Ronaldo saw the goalkeeper make a mistake; he took advantage of the rebound and struck the ball into the net. This raised his total tally to 980 goals, bringing the 1000‑goal threshold back within reach.

The action not only underscored his individual class, but gave Al‑Nassr an immediate lead in the match against Al‑Diriyah.

With this goal Ronaldo sets the tone for the upcoming club matches, while the discussion about his national future remains in the background for now.