Cristiano Ronaldo is “so happy” after the “best start” to 2025 with the goal for Al-Nassr against Al-Akhdoud
Five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo described his first goal of 2025 as “the best start to the year” after Al-Nassr secured a nervy win at home against Al-Akhdoud, the Saudi Pro League strugglers.
In the first game for both teams since the winter break in Saudi Arabia, the guests took the lead through winger Savior Godwin at Al-Awwal Park in Riyadh Ronaldo scored a penalty in between Sadio Mane’s double.
“I’m so happy to start the year with a win and a goal,” Ronaldo told his millions of followers on social media, accompanying his response with photos of himself during the year 3:1 win. “Let’s go. Best start to the year.”
Number 1️⃣ in 2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣5️⃣ for CR7️⃣ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️#RoshnSaudiLeague pic.twitter.com/IKA1v0ZY4B
— Roshn Saudi League (@SPL_EN) January 9, 2025
Al-Nassr vs Al-Akhdoud: Ronaldo returns for 2025
The first 28 minutes of Al-Nassr’s return to the game were unforgettable as their relegation-threatened opponents took advantage of their weak defense and took the lead in the sixth minute.
Sadio Mane was denied an equalizer by a video referee in the 16th minute, but the Senegal icon converted from close range in the 29th minute, scoring his first goal in eight games for club and country.
A foul on Mane then allowed Ronaldo to convert the penalty three minutes before half-time, although the Portuguese captain was denied a quick second by goalkeeper Paulo Vitor just before half-time when he broke away.
Former Bayern Munich and Liverpool striker Mane parried Al-Ghannam’s inviting cross from the right with a deft header to seal the victory two minutes from the end of the second half, which saw the underdogs push for an equaliser.
The first SIUUU of 2025 🐐#RoshnSaudiLeague pic.twitter.com/JKWcQvXJMM
— Roshn Saudi League (@SPL_EN) January 9, 2025
Ronaldo stats 2024/25
Al-Nassr captain Ronaldo has scored nine goals and provided one assist in his last six international and club games in all competitions.
The 39-year-old has scored 11 goals in the 2024/25 Saudi Pro League, one goal behind the competition’s top scorer, Aleksandar Mitrovic of Al-Hilal.
Number 1️⃣ in 2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣5️⃣ for CR7️⃣ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️#RoshnSaudiLeague pic.twitter.com/IKA1v0ZY4B
— Roshn Saudi League (@SPL_EN) January 9, 2025
The result ended Al-Nassr’s run of two straight defeats in all competitions and moved them up to third place, eight points behind leaders Al-Ittihad and six points behind Al-Hilal, both of which still have a game in hand.
With Al-Hilal away to 10th-placed Al-Orobah on Saturday and Al-Ittihad away to second-to-last Al-Feiha on Saturday, the chances of Al-Nassr making up ground in the top two spots this week are slim – but they can cannot afford to give up any more points if they want to have a chance of a late title rise.
Al-Nassr next travel to Al-Taawoun, who are currently in ninth place, having won five and lost five of their first 13 league games, on January 17 (17:00 GMT).
