Cristiano Ronaldo marked his return to club football on Friday, October 10, 2026, by scoring the opening goal in Al-Nassr's 3-0 win over Diriyah in the Saudi Pro League — the 980th goal of his professional career.
The 41-year-old returned to club action after a controversial international break with Portugal, during which he walked out of the national squad. He opened the scoring midway through the first half, reacting fastest to shoot home the rebound after Kingsley Coman's shot from outside the area was blocked by Diriyah goalkeeper Waleed Abdullah.
Back among the goals
Samu Costa added a second for Al-Nassr just before the break, and Coman sealed the victory with 13 minutes remaining. The win put the defending champions level on points behind leaders Al-Qadsiah on goal difference in the eighth round of the season.
Ronaldo's latest strike took his career tally to 980 goals, moving him within 20 of the 1,000-goal landmark he has said he wants to reach before retiring. Al-Nassr supporters made their feelings clear on his return, unfurling a huge pre-match banner reading "greatness is earned" alongside his famed number seven, while fans chanted his name in the seventh minute. "Job done. On to the next one!" Ronaldo posted on social media after the game.
Portugal controversy lingers
During the international window, Ronaldo left the Portugal squad, for whom he has scored 146 goals in 234 appearances. In a long statement posted earlier in the week, he said recently appointed coach Jorge Jesus had not been true to his word about when he would play the striker in the Nations League. Ronaldo has since said he remains available for the national team, though it is unclear whether he will face punishment for the walkout.
Sources:
The Hindu — Ronaldo returns after Portugal quarrel and scores in Al-Nassr win
NDTV Sports (AP) — Cristiano Ronaldo Scores Goal No. 980 On Al-Nassr Return After Portugal Quarrel
The 41-year-old returned to club action after a controversial international break with Portugal, during which he walked out of the national squad. He opened the scoring midway through the first half, reacting fastest to shoot home the rebound after Kingsley Coman's shot from outside the area was blocked by Diriyah goalkeeper Waleed Abdullah.
Back among the goals
Samu Costa added a second for Al-Nassr just before the break, and Coman sealed the victory with 13 minutes remaining. The win put the defending champions level on points behind leaders Al-Qadsiah on goal difference in the eighth round of the season.
Ronaldo's latest strike took his career tally to 980 goals, moving him within 20 of the 1,000-goal landmark he has said he wants to reach before retiring. Al-Nassr supporters made their feelings clear on his return, unfurling a huge pre-match banner reading "greatness is earned" alongside his famed number seven, while fans chanted his name in the seventh minute. "Job done. On to the next one!" Ronaldo posted on social media after the game.
Portugal controversy lingers
During the international window, Ronaldo left the Portugal squad, for whom he has scored 146 goals in 234 appearances. In a long statement posted earlier in the week, he said recently appointed coach Jorge Jesus had not been true to his word about when he would play the striker in the Nations League. Ronaldo has since said he remains available for the national team, though it is unclear whether he will face punishment for the walkout.
Sources:
The Hindu — Ronaldo returns after Portugal quarrel and scores in Al-Nassr win
NDTV Sports (AP) — Cristiano Ronaldo Scores Goal No. 980 On Al-Nassr Return After Portugal Quarrel
