Cristiano Ronaldo

While one record slipped away from Cristiano Ronaldo, another moved significantly closer. Cristiano Ronaldo once again found himself at the center of attention as Al-Nassr secured a vital victory last weekend in the Saudi Pro League. The league leader continued its strong push toward the title, but the night also carried a deeper narrative surrounding Ronaldo’s pursuit of history. The match against Al-Okhdood was more than just another step in the title race for Al-Nassr. It presented a chance for Ronaldo to etch his name into yet another record, adding extra tension to an already significant fixture. While the team delivered, the individual milestone remained just out of reach. Al-Nassr entered the match in commanding form, carrying a long winning streak that had placed it firmly at the top of the standings. The contrast between the two sides was clear, with Al-Okhdood fighting to avoid relegation while the visitor aimed to strengthen its grip on the title. Despite the pressure, Jorge Jesus’ players delivered a 2-0 victory, extending their remarkable run and opening a five-point lead at the top of the table. The result reinforced the club’s consistency and highlighted its ability to maintain focus during the most critical phase of the season. The record that slipped away The spotlight before kickoff had been firmly on Ronaldo’s chase for another historic achievement. Heading into the match, he had already amassed 97 goals in 100 Saudi Pro League appearances, putting him within touching distance of a remarkable milestone. The target was clear: match the fastest run to 100 league goals, a record held by Abderrazak Hamdallah, who reached the mark in 101 matches. Ronaldo needed a hat-trick to equal that feat, a challenge that added urgency to every attacking move. However, despite scoring and playing a decisive role, Ronaldo did not reach the required tally. The record remains intact, leaving his pursuit unfinished but still very much alive as the season continues. Ronaldo failed to break Abderrazak Hamdallah’s record of fastest to 100 goals Even without breaking the record, the Portuguese superstar made his impact felt early in the game. He opened the scoring with a composed finish in the 15th minute, setting the tone for another confident Al-Nassr performance. Closing in on another historic milestone While one record slipped away, another moved significantly closer. Ronaldo’s latest goal took him to 98 league goals in just 101 appearances, placing him within striking distance of becoming Al-Nassr’s all-time top scorer in the Saudi Pro League. The milestone he now chases belongs to Mohammed Al-Sahlawi, who leads the club’s scoring charts with 103 goals. Ronaldo’s rapid rise through the rankings highlights both his consistency and efficiency since arriving in Saudi Arabia. Al-Nassr’s leading scorers in the Saudi Pro League history: 🥇 103 — Mohammed Al-Sahlawi 🇸🇦 🥈 98 — Cristiano Ronaldo 🇵🇹 🆕 🥉 77 — Abderrazak Hamdallah 🇲🇦 Closing in fast 👀🐐♑️ pic.twitter.com/hhUididNQW — King Woss 👑 (@Rm_umar2) April 11, 2026 The 41-year-old veteran needs six more goals to surpass Al-Sahlawi and become Al-Nassr’s all-time top scorer in the Saudi Pro League, as confirmed by Transfermarkt. Given his current form, that target feels well within reach before the season concludes.

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Karim Benzema missed a crucial penalty as Al Hilal were eliminated from the AFC Champions League Elite, and with the Saudi club now out of continental competition, the fallout could have consequences for Cristiano Ronaldo's Al Nassr in the SPL title race. Karim Benzema found himself at the center of a painful moment on Monday after missing a decisive penalty in Al Hilal‘s elimination from the 2025-26 AFC Champions League Elite quarterfinals. With their continental ambitions now extinguished, the fallout from that exit could have significant implications for Cristiano Ronaldo‘s Al Nassr. At Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Stadium, Al Hilal faced Qatari side Al Sadd in a rescheduled Round of 16 tie, part of a series of AFC fixtures in the western region pushed back from March. The game got off to a promising start for Al Hilal when Sergej Milinković-Savić opened the scoring in the 29th minute, but Al Sadd proved relentless in finding equalizers, with the two sides never separated by more than one goal in a pulsating 3-3 draw. The compressed schedule that followed the rescheduling forced the AFC to switch the remaining knockout ties from two-legged affairs to single-match eliminations. With the score still level after 90 minutes, the game went to extra time and then to a penalty shootout to decide who advanced to the quarterfinals. Roberto Firmino missed Al Sadd’s opening spot kick, leaving Al Hilal in the driving seat at 2-1, but Benzema then stepped up and sent his effort over the crossbar attempting to go top left. Al Sadd converted every remaining penalty, and with Saimon Bouabre also missing for Al Hilal, the Saudi side were eliminated 4-2 in the shootout. Karim Benzema misses the penalty!!! pic.twitter.com/isRewB2l0l — Football Scope (@FootScopeX) April 13, 2026 Al Hilal refocus on the SPL after continental exit The defeat to Al Sadd ended an otherwise unbeaten run for Al Hilal across both the AFC league phase and the Saudi Pro League in the 2025-26 season. With no international competition left to play for, Benzema’s side will now channel all of their energy into the domestic title race, a development that Al Nassr will be keeping a close eye on. Al Sadd will face Japanese side Vissel Kobe on Thursday, April 16 at King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah, with the semifinals scheduled for April 20 and 21 and the AFC Champions League Elite final set for April 25. Freed from those continental demands, Al Hilal will now have no fixture congestion to manage heading into the critical final weeks of the SPL season. Al Hilal’s next league match is not until April 28 against Damac FC, giving them a two-week window to rest, recover and sharpen up before resuming their title push. After a further fixture against Al Hazem on May 2, Benzema and Ronaldo will then square off on May 7 in what promises to be a defining Al Nassr vs. Al Hilal showdown that could go a long way toward deciding who lifts the Saudi Pro League trophy. On the other side of the equation, Al Nassr still have AFC Champions League Two commitments to attend to, with a quarterfinal against Al Wasl on the horizon and potentially more rounds beyond that. Ronaldo has been largely absent from the club’s continental games, but the added fixture load could leave Al Nassr’s squad with more fatigue in their legs when that pivotal May 7 clash arrives. That context gives Al Hilal a potential edge heading into the six-point encounter, having had significantly more rest in the buildup. Al Nassr currently hold a commanding lead with 73 points to Al Hilal’s 68, and a victory in that meeting could all but seal the title, setting up a Saudi Pro League finale where the championship could come down to the very last game of the season.

Cristiano Ronaldo has been handed some good news amid the Saudi Pro league title race with Iñigo Martinez returning from injury to Al Nassr training sessions. Cristiano Ronaldo saw only good news since his return from injury, with Al Nassr finding a great form while their prosecutors dropped points over the last games. As part of yet another great update for the Portuguese star and the club, star defender Iñigo Martinez returned to the team trainings to continue the Saudi Pro League title race. Al Nassr took Sunday off after Saturday’s win against Al Okhdood, and on Monday’s training session, Iñigo Martinez returned to group training. The Spanish defender made his way back after almost one month sidelined due to a tear in his hamstring. With his return alongside his teammates, Iñigo Martinez has been confirmed as available for Al Nassr’s next game. For Matchday 29 of the SPL, Ronaldo and company will be hosting the game against Al Ettifaq on Wednesday, April 15th, to keep their historic winning streak of 14 wins going. Due to this injury, Martinez missed the last two games against Al Najma and Al Okhdood, both teams siting at rock bottom of the table. With more challenging duels on the horizon, his return to the team will be key, but for the upcoming game, as reported by Al Arriyadiyah, head coach Jorge Jesus will have the last word on his presence. Inigo Martinez in Al Nassr’s training session. In the 5-2 win against Al Najma, coach Jesus remarked that the team wasn’t good defensively. “We were not good defensively today, especially at the back line. We missed Martínez, and that affected our defensive balance,” he said in the post match press conference, highlighting his importance on the team. Cristiano Ronaldo and rest of starters with recovery exercises In contrast with Iñigo Martinez and a limited group, Cristiano Ronaldo took part of the recovery routine and exercises alongside the players that started the last game against Al Okhdood. The focus and normal training sessions was more focused on non-starting players. Since recovering from his hamstring injury, Ronaldo got subbed off in the 2 games he’s performed, though his form remains intact with three goals scored in that span. With six games left in the Saudi Pro League, and with Al Nassr sitting at the top with 73 points, managing his minutes will be key for both the title race, and also to reach fitness with the World Cup in less than two months.

Despite his historic season, Ousmane Dembélé’s future at PSG appears quite uncertain, as he is reportedly refusing to renew his contract. As a result, the 2025 Ballon d’Or winner has two potential destinations: the Premier League and the Saudi Pro League. Ousmane Dembélé managed to make history at PSG, leading the club to its first UEFA Champions League title. Following this, the Frenchman won the 2025 Ballon d’Or, achieving a historic milestone for the team. Despite this, his future at the club is not guaranteed, as he is reportedly refusing to extend his contract. With no agreement yet reached, the 28-year-old star already has potential destinations lined up: The Premier League and the Saudi Pro League. According to L’Équipe, PSG and Ousmane Dembélé have decided to pause contract extension talks, making it clear there is still time, as his current deal runs until 2028. Instead, the French side has chosen to prioritize the renewals of Senny Mayulu and Bradley Barcola, whose contracts expire in 2027 and 2028 respectively. In addition, the 2025 Ballon d’Or winner is reportedly not fully accepting the contractual offer on the table. Following his historic season, Paris Saint-Germain acknowledge that Dembélé deserves a salary increase. However, president Nasser Al-Khelaifi has made it clear that the club will not break its wage structure, unlike in the cases of Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé, and Neymar. As a result, the French side are open to reassessing his future in the event of an early elimination, or keeping him as a cornerstone if he shines again and helps secure the title reports L’Équipe. Given his uncertain contractual situation, Ousmane Dembélé could be set for a move to the Premier League, with several clubs monitoring a potential transfer. In addition, Saudi Pro League teams have joined the interest, having made multiple approaches throughout the season. However, the Frenchman has decided to pause any renewal or transfer talks until after the 2026 World Cup, where a standout performance could ultimately define his future. Ousmane Dembele lifting the 2025 Ballon d’Or. Dembélé wages could rule out most Premier League clubs Unlike other leagues, Premier League clubs maintain strong investment capacity, allowing them to handle multimillion-dollar transfers. Because of this, the Frenchman could fit into most English top-flight teams. However, Ousmane Dembélé reportedly holds salary expectations above €50 million, which would significantly limit his options to only a very small number of clubs. Over the past few years, Manchester City, Manchester United, and Liverpool have been the only Premier League sides capable of offering salaries above €20 million per season, alongside extremely high transfer fees. For this reason, Dembélé would realistically only fit into these teams, with the Reds and the Red Devils best positioned, as they are set to lose their top earners: Mohamed Salah and Casemiro. Ousmane Dembélé might find his ideal salary in Saudi Arabia Despite the fact that the potential arrival of Ousmane Dembélé represents a major opportunity for several teams, they could struggle to meet his extremely high salary expectations. Nevertheless, the Frenchman could have an ideal solution: Saudi Pro League. As one of the most financially powerful leagues, they could make him a tempting offer to the 2025 Ballon d’Or candidate, reaching up to the €60M per season he is reportedly demanding. Being a well-known Muslim, Dembélé’s potential arrival would have a major cultural impact, becoming a reference point for local fans. In addition, the presence of Cristiano Ronaldo, along with the possible arrival of Mohamed Salah, could further raise the league’s profile, drawing renewed attention from fans. However, they have not yet submitted a formal offer, according to L’Équipe.

The 41-year-old Portuguese star is betting big on a young star from his former club. Leer

Distancing from a potential move to Cristiano Ronaldo's SPL, Bruno Fernandes has made his intentions clear on 'competing' at Manchester United. Bruno Fernandes was one of the most intriguing names of last summer’s transfer window, with the midfielder coming genuinely close to making a move to the Saudi Pro League. Now, the prospect of another high-profile Portuguese arrival alongside Cristiano Ronaldo in the Middle East appears increasingly remote, as Fernandes has made clear his focus is firmly on “competing” at Manchester United. Al Hilal mounted a serious push to sign Fernandes in the summer of 2025, reportedly tabling a fee in excess of 100 million euros and dangling a salary in the region of £700,000 per week. The midfielder even held conversations with Cristiano Ronaldo about life in Saudi Arabia and the league itself, but ultimately relented under pressure from then-head coach Rúben Amorim and chose to remain part of United’s project despite the club’s persistent struggles. In an interview with The Times, Fernandes was asked whether the two cup trophies claimed since his arrival were enough for a club of United’s stature. “Everyone who comes to Man United wants to win every trophy. No one thinks in coming to the club, ‘We’re going to fight for just one or two trophies in six years,’ let’s say. You want to fight for all of them. We went to three other finals and didn’t win. That can happen. But at least you’ve been in the fight. We were close,” he said. With his contract set to expire at the end of the 2026-27 season, the question of his future will inevitably come back into focus, but Fernandes has laid out a clear set of conditions for staying. “And what I said to the club every time I spoke with them, what I want from the time I’m here, I just want to compete. Because if I compete, I will be close to winning. If I don’t compete, there’s no chance I’m going to get close to any silverware,” he added. Bruno Fernandes of Manchester United celebrating. Fernandes also addressed the financial allure of other leagues while making it clear that trophies, not money, are what drives his decision-making. “Money, you can get anywhere. A lot of clubs in the Premier League pay well, a lot of clubs in Italy, Spain, pay you a lot. You come to this club because of the history, because of what you think you can achieve,” he stated. “(Whether) you end up achieving or not, that’s a question of you being better than the other teams. But what I always say to the club is you can’t promise me I’m going to win the Premier League, that’s impossible, but if you promise we’re going to be competitive — that’s all I need to know,” Fernandes concluded, in remarks that point more toward a continuation at Old Trafford rather than a move to the SPL. Will Manchester United compete in the 2026-27 season? Last season was one to forget for Manchester United, who suffered defeat in the Europa League final and finished 15th in the Premier League, the lowest top-flight finish in the club’s history. The campaign was further destabilized by the sudden departure of Ruben Amorim midway through, but the team has since shown signs of steadying the ship and pushing toward the upper reaches of the table. United currently sit third in the Premier League with 55 points from 31 games, putting them on track to return to the UEFA Champions League for the first time since the 2023-24 season. Set to turn 32 in September 2026, Fernandes will be entering the final year of his contract, with everything to play for both individually and collectively as he waits to see whether United can truly deliver on the promise of competing for the biggest prizes.

Cristiano Ronaldo found the back of the net once again, leading Al Nassr to a set a new record winning streak that boost the hopes of claiming the 2025-26 Saudi Pro League title. Cristiano Ronaldo continues to hit the ground running since returning from his hamstring injury, finding the net once again for Al Nassr as the club collected another three points in the 2025-26 Saudi Pro League. In doing so, Al Nassr have broken a club record for consecutive wins, further fueling their title aspirations. On Saturday, Al Nassr traveled to Al Okhdood, a side currently sitting 17th and deep in the relegation zone. The scoring was opened in the 15th minute when Nawaf Boushal slipped the ball through to Cristiano Ronaldo, who burst into the box, broke the defensive line and slotted the ball into the back of the net. Joao Felix then put the game to bed with a second goal in the 47th minute to seal a comfortable 2-0 victory. That win over Al Okhdood gave Al Nassr their 14th consecutive Saudi Pro League victory, setting a new club record for the longest winning streak in the competition’s history. The previous mark of 13 straight wins had stood since the 2013-14 season, and with Ronaldo as the centerpiece, the bar has now been raised. The run began on January 17 with a 3-2 victory over Al Shabab, coming on the heels of a rough start to 2026 that had seen Al Nassr suffer three consecutive defeats. Since that turning point, the club has not dropped a single point in the SPL, scoring 39 goals and conceding just six across those 14 matches, showing marked improvement at both ends of the pitch. Cristiano Ronaldo of Al Nassr reacts. Ronaldo missed four of those wins, two in February due to his boycott of the league and two more in March while sidelined with his hamstring injury. Still, across the 10 games in which he featured during the streak, the Portuguese legend made his presence felt with nine goals and one assist, a reminder that the transition from 40 to 41 years old has done little to diminish his impact. A streak that carries good omens for Al Nassr The three points against Al Okhdood did more than just extend the winning run; they also widened the gap between Al Nassr and their closest rivals. Ronaldo’s side now sits atop the SPL with 73 points from 28 games, five clear of second-placed Al Hilal, and the historical parallel is hard to ignore. In the 2013-14 season, that previous record streak of 13 wins ran from Matchday 10, when Al Nassr beat Al Hilal 2-1, through to Matchday 22 and a 2-1 victory over Al Ettifaq. Crucially, the last time Al Nassr put together such a dominant winning run, they went on to lift the Saudi Pro League title, a fact that will not be lost on Ronaldo and his teammates as they chase their first league crown since the 2018-19 season. Al Nassr still far from the all-time SPL record Six games remain in the 2025-26 SPL campaign, and while Al Nassr will be looking to keep the streak alive, even a perfect run to the finish line would still leave them well short of the all-time record. That benchmark belongs to Al Hilal, who put together a staggering 24 consecutive league victories during the 2023-24 season, a campaign they ultimately crowned with the title under the management of current Al Nassr head coach Jorge Jesus.

'Another step forward': Cristiano Ronaldo fires Al Nassr past Al Okhdood and five points clear The National