On Monday, Al Nassr captain Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 50th goal of 2023 in a 5-2 win away at Al-Shabab in the Saudi Arabian King Cup quarterfinals.
In the 74th minute, the 38-year-old exchanged a one-two with fellow Portugal international Otavio before burying a low shot from 10 yards.
After earlier goals from Seko Fofana, Sadio Mane, and Abdulrahman Ghareeb, Al Nassr led 4-1. When Ronaldo was replaced in the 82nd minute, he received a standing ovation.
Following an assist from Mane, his substitute, Mohammed Maran, scored Al Nassr’s fifth goal in extended time. Otavio had two assists in Monday’s game, assisting on both Mane’s and Ronaldo’s goals.
Al-Shabab’s goals came from Brazilian attacker Carlos and Saudi Arabian winger Hattan Bahebri. For the second season in a row, Al Nassr has reached the King Cup semi-finals.
Last year, Ronaldo and company were defeated 1-0 by Al-Wehda in the semi-finals. He has scored 40 of his 50 goals in 2023 while playing for Al Nassr. In Portugal’s other nine appearances, he has scored ten goals.
And now that the Man City star Erling Haaland is injured, it’s unlikely for him to play the next few games. This is a great opportunity for the Portuguese international to end 2023 as the top scorer.
Ronaldo To Face Messi Head-On Next Year
Ronaldo’s Al Nassr will face Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami in the Riyadh Season Cup on February 1, 2024, according to a statement released on Monday.
Also Read: Top 10 Highest Goalscorers In The World In 2023
Messi and Ronaldo have met 36 times in club and country matches, with Messi’s sides winning 16, Ronaldo’s teams winning 11, and nine finishing in a draw. In those games, the Argentine attacker has 22 goals and 11 assists, while Ronaldo has 21 goals and one assist.
On December 22, Al Nassr will face Steven Gerrard’s Al Ettifaq in their next Saudi Pro League match.
