Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 979th career goal on Wednesday as Al Nassr defeated Abha 2-1 in the Saudi Pro League at Al-Awwal Park in Riyadh.
The 41-year-old Portuguese forward opened the scoring in the 22nd minute with a trademark header from Angelo’s corner.
Ronaldo rose above his marker near the six-yard box and directed a powerful downward header beyond Abha goalkeeper Donovan Leon and into the far corner.
The goal was Ronaldo’s third in the Saudi Pro League this season and moved him to within 21 goals of the much-anticipated 1,000-goal milestone.
His strike also gave Al Nassr the perfect response to their first defeat of the campaign.
The defending champions had suffered a 2-1 loss away to Al-Ittihad four days earlier, a result that ended their unbeaten start to the season and saw Al Hilal take over at the top of the table.
Al Nassr restored their winning momentum against newly promoted Abha and doubled their advantage in the 58th minute.
Abdullah Al-Hamdan finished from inside the area to put the hosts 2-0 ahead.
Abha reduced the deficit in the 75th minute when former France international Nabil Fekir scored from a free-kick.
The visitors pressed for an equaliser late in the game, but Al Nassr survived the pressure to claim three points.
The victory moved Al Nassr to 15 points from six matches, leaving them second in the standings and level on points with leaders Al Hilal.
Abha, meanwhile, remain at the bottom of the table with just one point.
For Ronaldo, the goal added to an extraordinary list of milestones since his move to Saudi Arabia.
The Portuguese star has already become Al Nassr’s all-time leading scorer in the Saudi Pro League after reaching 104 goals for the club in the competition.
Now, his attention turns to the 1,000-goal landmark.
With 979 career goals, Ronaldo needs only 21 more to reach the unprecedented figure in senior competitive football.
His pursuit of the milestone has become one of the biggest individual storylines of the Saudi Pro League season, particularly as the veteran continues to play a central role for Ange Postecoglou’s side.
Al Nassr’s next league assignment will be away to Al Khaleej on September 12.
Ronaldo will hope to continue his scoring form as Al Nassr attempt to keep pace with Al Hilal in the title race and he closes in on another remarkable career record.
