Following the final whistle, Ronaldo spoke with his former Manchester United teammate Rio Ferdinand on the pitch. The Portuguese superstar used the moment to advocate for greater disciplinary measures against those who undermine the league’s officials.

“I think, as I said before, they should respect the league more. The players who make posts on Facebook or Instagram about the referees and speak poorly about the league should be banned,” Ronaldo told Ferdinand. “Like in the Premier League, if you speak about the referees, you get punished. I think we should do it here because if not, the league is not going to grow”.

The root of the conflict

The atmosphere at the stadium was charged due to a series of complaints from the Al Ahli camp. Following a controversial 1-1 draw against Al Fayha earlier this month, star striker Ivan Toney slammed the officiating, implying that the league was doing everything possible to help Al Nassr secure the championship.

Al Ahli’s Galeno was even more direct, stating that Al Nassr and Ronaldo are being favored in the title race. The Brazilian later took to X (formerly Twitter) to post: “They want to hand the trophy to one person,” a clear jab at the Al Nassr captain.

The club itself took the unusual step of issuing an official statement condemning the refereeing in the Al Fayha match. Al Ahli demanded a full review of match footage and VAR communications, along with a formal explanation for several controversial decisions.

Al Nassr’s path to the title

The victory over Al Ahli leave Al Nassr in a commanding position at the top of the table with 79 points, maintaining a comfortable eight-point cushion over Al Hilal, who still have a game in hand. With only four matches remaining, Jorge Jesus’ men must now navigate a challenging final stretch of the season.

Their gauntlet begins with a high-stakes clash against fourth-place Al Qadsiah, followed by a matchup with Al Shabab in 12th. The season will then build toward a massive title-decider against second-place Al Hilal before Al Nassr officially concludes their campaign with a season finale against Damac.

With his latest strike, Ronaldo reached 25 goals for the season. Although he managed to close the gap on Ivan Toney (who sits at 27 goals), Quiñones surged ahead with a clinical performance to reach 29 tallies.

The road ahead is steep for the Portuguese superstar, who has just four league fixtures remaining to overtake his rivals and claim his third consecutive Golden Boot.

Does Ronaldo have a chance to win the Golden Boot?

While the situation is challenging, Cristiano Ronaldo can never be counted out in the race for the league’s top scorer. The Portuguese star is currently in fantastic form, having netted nine goals in his last nine matches.

Several factors keep his third Golden Boot in Saudi Arabia within reach: he remains the primary penalty and free-kick taker, and he serves as the focal point of an elite offense where Joao Felix and Kingsley Coman provide world-class service.

However, the strength of the remaining schedule remains a significant hurdle. Al Nassr must still navigate high-stakes fixtures against Al Qadsiah (4th) and Al Hilal (2nd), while Quiñones faces a theoretically easier path with 6th-place Al Ittihad as his toughest remaining opponent. Meanwhile, Toney will close out his campaign against teams currently outside the top 10.

Ronaldo chases third consecutive Golden Boot

If Ronaldo manages to top the scoring charts by the end of the campaign, he will become only the third player in Saudi Pro League history to claim the Golden Boot in three consecutive seasons.

Securing this feat would place him in the exclusive company of league legends: Majed Abdullah, who achieved the triple for Al Nassr between 1978/79 and 1980/81, and Omar Al Somah, who dominated for Al Ahli from 2014/15 to 2016/17.

“I don’t think this is good for the league. Everyone complains. Everyone is doing more than they should. This is football, not war,” Ronaldo told Canal GOAT in his post-match interview. “Everyone wants to win, but not everything is allowed… Many players complain, post on Instagram, Facebook. They talk about referees, the league, the project. I don’t think that’s good. That’s not the goal of the league”.

Ronaldo’s remarks were a clear response to Al Ahli’s public frustrations. Following a controversial 1-1 draw against Al Fayha earlier in the season, the club filed an official complaint regarding the officiating, while several players took aim at the league’s organization through social media.

Merih Demiral joins the fray

The tension didn’t subside after the game. Al Ahli center-back Merih Demiral echoed his teammates’ sentiments, doubling down on claims that the league is tilting the scales in favor of Ronaldo’s side.

“They are helping Al Nassr so that they can win the league. This is a disgrace,” the Turkish defender told reporters. “Al Ahli doesn’t need help to achieve anything. Thank God I’m with Al Ahli”.

Al Nassr closing in on the Championship

This victory marks a massive step forward for Al Nassr as they navigate a grueling gauntlet against their top competitors. After taking down third-place Al Ahli, they move on to face fourth-place Al Qadsiah before a showdown with second-place Al Hilal.

With this win, Ronaldo and company sit atop of the Saudi Pro League with 79 points, holding an eight-point lead over Al Hilal (who currently have a game in hand).

While Al Nassr are currently riding a 16-game winning streak, Ronaldo has been on the pitch for 12 of those consecutive victories. This matches his personal record of 12 straight league wins set with Real Madrid during the 2014-15 season, according to data from Transfermarkt.

Ronaldo will have the chance to set a new personal best when Al Nassr face fourth-place Al Qadsiyiah on Sunday, May 3. A win in this crucial fixture, combined with favorable results in Al Hilal’s and Al Ahli’s games, could virtually seal the Saudi Pro League title for Cristiano and company.

A multi-title pursuit

Al Nassr are enjoying a dominant campaign that could see Ronaldo claim his first major trophies since arriving in Saudi Arabia. However, the club’s success isn’t limited to domestic play.

They have also reached the final of the AFC Champions League Two, where Al Nassr are scheduled to face Japan’s Gamba Osaka for the continental trophy on Saturday, May 16.

The race to 1,000 goals and the Golden Boot

On an individual level, Ronaldo continues to defy age. His strike against Al Ahli was the 970th goal of his career, leaving him just 30 goals shy of becoming the first player in soccer history to reach the legendary 1,000-goal milestone.

Despite his prolific form, the race for the Saudi Pro League Golden Boot remains a steep climb. Ronaldo currently has 25 goals this season, trailing both Ivan Toney (27 goals) and Julian Quiñones (28 goals) with only four games left on the schedule.

With this result, Al Nassr sit at 79 points, holding an eight-point lead over second-place Al Hilal and a 13-point gap over third-place Al Ahli—all of this with the AFC Champions League two final pending.

Four matchdays are remaining for Al Nassr to secure the title led by Cristiano Ronaldo, four games that represent 12 points still in play, meaning there is still a risk of being caught. It is also worth noting that Al Hilal still have Matchday 30 to play, which means they have one game in hand and could close the gap to five points.

Cristiano Ronaldo And Al Nassr’s season

Cristiano Ronaldo is on the cusp of securing his first major trophy in Saudi Arabia, as Al Nassr also advanced to the final of the AFC Champions League Two. The team made headlines with an impressive 5-1 victory against Qatar’s Al Ahli, setting up a crucial match against Japanese side Gamba Osaka on May 16 in Riyadh.

It remains to be seen which title arrives first, the cup or the domestic league, as the league depends on other results as well as their own, while the cup is a win-or-nothing scenario in their push to become champions, but Ronaldo’s experience in these situations is well known.

Cristiano Ronaldo has not only contributed significantly to this success, scoring 24 league goals this season, but is also closing in on a remarkable milestone, standing 30 goals away from reaching 1,000 career goals.

Al Nassr’s upcoming matches

Here are the upcoming matches for Al Nassr, including the AFC Champions League final and the remaining Saudi Pro League fixtures in their pursuit of titles:

• Al Qadsiah (away), May 3
• Al Shabab (away), May 7
• Al Hilal (home), May 12
• Gamba Osaka (AFC Champions League two final, neutral), May 16
• Damac (home), May 21

The goal came in the 76th minute, when Ronaldo finished a well-worked attacking sequence with a precise header from a corner to make it 1–0 in favor of Al Nassr. Meanwhile, Kingsley Coman added a second goal in the 90th minute with a clinical finish to extend the lead to 2–0, which stood as the final score.

With this win, Al Nassr now sits at the top of the Saudi Pro League standings with 79 points after 30 matches, holding an advantage over Al Hilal, who remain second with 71 points and one game in hand. The result further strengthens Al Nassr’s position as the season enters its final stretch.

Beyond league play, Al Nassr remains competitive on multiple fronts. The team recently secured a commanding 5-1 victory over Al Ahli SC to advance to the AFC Champions League Two final, maintaining strong momentum heading into the closing stretch of the season.

Ronaldo’s scoring form continues to drive Al Nassr

Ronaldo’s latest goal brings his season tally to 25, including six from the penalty spot, reinforcing his importance to the team’s attacking output. His ability to deliver in decisive moments has been a consistent factor throughout the campaign.

How many goals does Ronaldo need to reach 1,000?

With just four matches remaining in the league campaign, Ronaldo isn’t only leading Al Nassr in its title push, but also closing in on a historic personal milestone. He is now just 30 goals away from the 1,000-goal mark, a feat that would further cement his status as one of the most prolific scorers in soccer history.

His leadership and scoring remain central to Al Nassr’s ambitions. As the season enters its final stretch, every match presents an opportunity to edge closer to history while maintaining the club’s push for silverware.

By simply stepping onto the pitch, Ronaldo will become the first player in history to appear in six different World Cup tournaments (2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022, and 2026). While Lionel Messi is also expected to reach this milestone, Ronaldo’s longevity as a focal point for Portugal remains unprecedented.

If Portugal secures their first-ever star, Ronaldo would become the oldest player to ever win a World Cup. He would surpass the record held by Italian goalkeeper Dino Zoff, who was 40 years and 133 days old when he lifted the trophy in 1982. Ronaldo will be 41 during the 2026 final.

Ronaldo going for scoring records

Ronaldo already holds the record as the only man to score in five consecutive World Cups. If he finds the back of the net in 2026, he will extend this to six tournaments. Notably, while Messi may play in six, his scoreless 2010 campaign means he cannot match Ronaldo for this specific scoring longevity record.

The Al Nassr star currently has 8 World Cup goals, placing him just one behind the legendary Eusebio, who scored 9 (all in the 1966 edition). One goal would see him tie the record; two would make him the undisputed greatest World Cup scorer in Portuguese history.

Battling with Messi for more games played

The final record within Cristiano’s reach currently belongs to Messi. While the Portuguese star has 22 World Cup appearances to his name, the Argentine leads the category with 26 matches played.

Messi’s record is expected to increase to 30 matches during the group stage, while Ronaldo’s is projected to reach 26, making this a particularly difficult milestone for the Portuguese forward to overtake.

To recall, Cristiano Ronaldo has acquired 25% of Almeria; the operation was carried out through CR7 Sports Investments, a new subsidiary of CR7 SA, through which the forward manages his businesses and investments.

Almeria are in second place with 67 points, only two points behind Real Racing Club. They are coming off a 4-2 win over Granada, which positions them and continues to strengthen their push for promotion to LaLiga. They have only five matchdays remaining. On the other side, Al Nassr are first in the Saudi Pro League and finalists in the AFC Champions League, which leaves six matches to define their season.

The redemption season of Cristiano Ronaldo with Al Nassr

Cristiano Ronaldo and Al Nassr secured their place in the 2026 AFC Champions League final after defeating Al Ahli of Qatar 5-1. This victory leaves the Portuguese star just one match away from lifting his first official trophy since arriving in Saudi Arabia.

Ronaldo is close to delivering a historic season in Saudi Arabia as he continues to chase multiple titles. After three seasons without lifting an official trophy, Ronaldo now has a real opportunity to win two different titles with Al Nassr.

His first path to glory is in the AFC Champions League 2, where he is just one win away from continental success if they defeat Gamba Osaka in the final. At the same time, Al Nassr have become the favorites to reclaim the Saudi Pro League title, currently leading the table with 76 points and only five matches away from securing the championship.

What Ronaldo will miss this season

Unfortunately, Cristiano Ronaldo’s side is no longer in contention for domestic cup titles this season. Al Nassr were eliminated from the King’s Cup in the round of 16 following a 2-1 defeat against Al Ittihad on October 28, 2025. Additionally, while they reached the Saudi Super Cup final earlier in 2026, they narrowly missed out on the trophy, falling 5-3 in a penalty shootout to Al Ahli after the match ended in a 2-2 draw.

But it does not matter, if he wins the AFC Champions League, finally an international title after many years of waiting, the Saudi Pro League title, and, at the same time, Almeria promotion is secured, a club he recently invested in by acquiring shares, it would be a more than accomplished season for Cristiano Ronaldo.

“A number of Al Nassr first-team players have been affected by the flu, which forced Senegalese winger Sadio Mane to exit Sunday’s training session prematurely,” Ariyadiyah reported regarding the situation within the team.

There has not yet been an official press release or statement addressing the situation, but with only days remaining until their Saudi Pro League match, Mane’s availability is in doubt.

Mane’s illness happened right after the outstanding performance from the Senegalese star in the AFC Champions League Two semifinals, and he entered in history alongside Ronaldo after reaching the final.

Other players affected by the flu

Mane is not the only player dealing with the flu. Joining him are Kingsley Coman, Mohamed Simakan, Marcelo Brozovic, Sultan Al-Ghannam, and Ali Hassan, who were also impacted during Sunday’s session.

While they completed training, their status, like Mane’s, remains uncertain. If their conditions do not improve, manager Jorge Jesus may have to consider alternative options for the Al Ahli fixture.

Possible replacements for Mane

If Mane would be unable to compete, Al Nassr may look for alternatives on the left side of the attack. Potential replacements include Joao Felix or Kingsley Coman, both capable of filling the role.

Meanwhile, Al Nassr’s medical team is working diligently to expedite Mane’s recovery. Cristiano Ronaldo and the rest of the squad are focused on maintaining peak form as they prepare to face Al Ahli.

However, the six-star club was expected to have a third member. Guillermo Ochoa, who—like Messi and Ronaldo—has been present at every edition since Germany 2006, is now facing reports that he may be left out of Javier Aguirre’s final plans for the Mexican national team.

Should Ochoa fail to represent his country this summer, the 40-year-old goalkeeper would remain at five participations, leaving the path clear for Messi and Ronaldo to become the only players in history to reach the six-tournament milestone.

The battle for Mexico’s goal

Reports from Mexico indicate that Raúl ‘Tala’ Rangel (Chivas) and Carlos Acevedo (Santos Laguna) have virtually secured their spots following the devastating Achilles injury to Luis Angel Malagon, which has ruled the expected starter out of the World Cup.

The battle for the final goalkeeping slot appears to be between veteran Jose Antonio Rodriguez (Xolos) and Ochoa. Currently, Rodriguez seems to have the edge in the eyes of the coaching staff.

“All I know is that Javier [Aguirre] has had talks with Antonio; whether he will call him up, I don’t know,” a member of Aguirre’s staff told Mexican outlet Record. “Personally, Antonio is a goalkeeper with good stats and the level to be at the World Cup, but Javier has the final word”.

Messi and Cristiano chasing the all-time scoring throne

The appearance record isn’t the only history on the line for these legends. Both Messi and Ronaldo are likely entering their final World Cup and have one last chance to become the competition’s all-time top scorer.

Achieving this record will be no easy feat for either player, as Germany’s Miroslav Klose continues to hold the all-time mark with 16 goals. Messi is currently the closest to catching the legendary striker, sitting at 13 goals after his dominant performance in Qatar, where he netted seven goals.

Ronaldo, on the other hand, faces a much steeper climb. With 8 career World Cup goals, the Portuguese captain would need to double his current tally in a single tournament to equal Klose—a monumental challenge even for one of the most prolific scorers in the history of the sport.

The same reality applies to Ronaldo, who will be 45 by the time the 2030 World Cup arrives, making his continued activity at that level highly improbable. Consequently, the 2026 tournament represents a final chance for both icons to dethrone Germany’s Miroslav Klose, the current record holder.

Klose currently leads the all-time list with 16 goals scored across four different tournaments. Messi is the closest active challenger with 13 goals in five editions, while Ronaldo sits further back with 8 goals, also recorded across five appearances.

Messi and Ronaldo face tough competition

While the Argentine icon is just three goals shy of equaling the historic mark, the Portuguese superstar would need to net eight goals to do the same—a daunting task, though not impossible for a scorer of Ronaldo’s caliber.

However, Messi and Ronaldo are not the only players eyeing the crown. They face stiff competition from other modern stars, most notably Kylian Mbappe. The Frenchman has already amassed 12 goals in just two tournaments, while England’s Harry Kane sits at eight goals from two editions.

The defining difference between these groups is longevity: while Mbappe and Kane are expected to feature in several future World Cups, 2026 represents the final farewell for Messi and Ronaldo on the world stage.

Ronaldo holds a unique World Cup record

While Cristiano Ronaldo faces long odds to finish as the World Cup’s all-time leading scorer, the Portuguese captain already holds a distinct record in the tournament’s history.

Ronaldo is the only player to have scored a goal in five different editions of the World Cup. His historic run began in Germany 2006 (1 goal), followed by single tallies in South Africa 2010 and Brazil 2014. He achieved his most prolific output in Russia 2018 with four goals, before adding another in Qatar 2022 to finalize his unprecedented streak.