Cristiano Ronaldo delivered a sensational performance in the Saudi Pro League, scoring a perfect hat-trick to inspire Al-Nassr to a 5-3 victory over Al-Kholood. The Portuguese superstar found the net three times in just 15 minutes, taking his career tally to 985 goals and leaving him only 15 short of the extraordinary 1,000-goal milestone.
Following the match, Ronaldo expressed his satisfaction on social media, writing: “Great win. Great team performance. Happy to help with a hat-trick.”
His brief message, however, did not tell the whole story of an exceptional evening. Ronaldo had actually put the ball into the net five times, but two of his efforts were ruled out for offside. His three recognised goals were particularly impressive, as they came from his left foot, his head and his right foot respectively. In football, scoring with all three methods in the same match is known as a perfect hat-trick.
The Portuguese forward completed his treble in the 66th, 72nd and 82nd minutes. With the score level at 2-2, his clinical finishing proved decisive in shifting the momentum in Al-Nassr’s favour. The achievement also marked the 67th hat-trick of his professional career.
Ronaldo’s latest goals took his overall career tally to 985, meaning he needs just 15 more to reach 1,000. The prospect of achieving that landmark has become an increasingly prominent talking point as the veteran forward continues to score regularly despite being 41 years old.
Joao Felix also played a significant role in Al-Nassr’s attacking display. The Portuguese attacking midfielder contributed to four of the team’s goals, providing two assists for Ronaldo. Their understanding on the pitch was a key feature of the victory, with Felix’s creativity complementing Ronaldo’s finishing ability.
The match carried additional significance for Ronaldo as it was his first appearance since winning the ‘Ballon d’Or of All Time’ award after defeating Lionel Messi in a fan vote. Expressing his appreciation for the recognition, he thanked supporters on social media, writing: “Football fans. Thank you, everyone. The greatest Ballon d’Or of all time belongs to you too.”
The award appeared to provide an extra reason for celebration as Ronaldo returned to action at Al-Nassr’s home ground, Al-Awwal Park. His performance demonstrated the competitive spirit and confidence that have characterised his career across several of the world’s leading football clubs.
The hat-trick was Ronaldo’s seventh for Al-Nassr. His previous treble for the Saudi club had come on 4 May 2024, making this his first three-goal performance for the side in approximately two and a half years. The latest achievement was another reminder of his continued influence in Saudi football.
His form this season has also been encouraging. Ronaldo has scored nine goals in 12 appearances across all competitions, including eight in 10 Saudi Pro League matches. Despite his advancing age, he remains one of Al-Nassr’s most important attacking players and continues to deliver when his team needs him.
Across his career, Ronaldo has registered 67 hat-tricks. Real Madrid account for 44 of them, while he has scored 10 for Portugal, seven for Al-Nassr and three each for Manchester United and Juventus.
His long-standing rivalry with Lionel Messi also remains relevant in the race for career goals. Ronaldo has scored 985 times, while the Argentine legend has 936 career goals and 62 hat-tricks. The Portuguese forward therefore holds a 49-goal advantage over his long-time rival.
Reaching 1,000 career goals would represent another extraordinary chapter in Ronaldo’s already remarkable footballing journey. Few players have maintained such a high level of performance over such an extended period. With only 15 goals remaining, his latest hat-trick has brought the historic milestone closer than ever.
