Cristiano Ronaldo returned to club action on Friday following his turbulent international break with Portugal and scored the opening goal in Al Nassr’s 3-0 win over Diriyah in the Saudi Pro League in Riyadh, taking his career tally to 980 goals.
Ronaldo started and broke the deadlock in the 23rd minute. Kingsley Coman’s shot from outside the area was blocked by goalkeeper Waleed Abdullah, and the veteran forward was alert to the loose ball, finishing the rebound from close range.
Samu Costa doubled the lead just before the break, heading in Joao Felix’s corner, and Coman sealed the points in the 77th minute after running through. Ronaldo played the full 90 minutes for a side now coached by former Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou.
The win leaves the defending champions level on points with leaders Al Qadsiah after eight rounds, though still behind them on goal difference. Al Qadsiah had earlier beaten Al Kholood 5-0, with Tijjani Reijnders, Mateo Retegui and Julian Quinones all on target.
The goal leaves Ronaldo 20 short of 1,000 career goals, a landmark he hopes to reach as the first player in history. Among the 980, 146 came in 234 appearances for Portugal, both records in men’s international football.
The Portugal controversy began after he was an unused substitute in the 2-1 win over Norway.
He then left camp, insisted he has not retired from international football, and accused coach Jorge Jesus of an “absolute breach of trust”.
Ronaldo’s long statement on Tuesday said Jesus had not been true to his word about when he would play him in the Nations League.
The two had won the Saudi title together in May, when Jesus coached Al Nassr.