Ronaldo Scores 980th Career Goal

Cristiano Ronaldo returned to club football on Friday following a dispute involving the Portugal national team and scored the opening goal in Al-Nassr‘s 3-0 win over Al-Diriyah in the Saudi Pro League.

Saturday Telegraph reports that the 41-year-old Portuguese captain moved within 20 goals of the 1,000-goal career milestone after scoring in the 23rd minute at Al-Awwal Park in Riyadh.

The victory moved Al-Nassr level on points with Al-Qadsiah after eight rounds of the Saudi Pro League.

It was also his fourth goal in the league this season. Al-Nassr doubled their advantage in the 35th minute when Samú Costa headed home João Félix’s corner, giving the hosts a two-goal lead before half-time.

The victory came as Ronaldo returned to club action following a turbulent international break with Portugal, having left the national team’s camp amid reports of a disagreement with head coach Jorge Jesus.

Ronaldo posted a lengthy statement on Tuesday. He said newly appointed coach Jorge Jesus had failed to keep his promise on when Ronaldo would be brought on in the Nations League.

His return to Al-Nassr shifted the focus back to his pursuit of the 1,000-goal milestone.

Saturday Telegraph recalls that Ronaldo received a strong show of support from Al-Nassr fans, who unveiled a tribute bearing the message “CR7, LA GRANDEZA SE MERECE” and chanted his name in the seventh minute, in his first appearance since the controversy involving Portugal’s national team.

The forward is expected to return to action on Monday when Al-Nassr face Uzbekistan’s Neftchi Farg‘ona in the AFC Champions League Two, as he continues his pursuit of the 1,000-goal milestone.

Samú Costa scored Al-Nassr‘s second goal just before half-time. The team’s coach is former Tottenham Hotspur boss Ange Postecoglou. Coman scored Al-Nassr’s third goal 13 minutes before the end of the match to seal the victory.