Cristiano Ronaldo fired a title warning to Al-Hilal after helping Al-Nassr secure a victory over Karim Benzema’s Al-Ittihad in the Saudi Pro League.
The Portuguese forward netted twice from the spot to lead Al Nassr to a 5-2 victory over Al Ittihad on Tuesday evening. Abderrazak Hamdallah’s goal in the 14th minute put Al-Ittihad in front but Ronaldo converted a penalty to level the score before Anderson Talisca netted to give the visitors a half-time lead.
It was end-to-end stuff but Al-Nassr found the extra gear after the hour mark, with Ronaldo scoring his second of the night in the 68th minute before Sadio Mane netted a brace of his own to wrap up the victory.
Ronaldo took to Instagram to celebrate the victory and also made it clear that his side are not giving up on their title ambitions despite being seven points behind leaders Al-Hilal. He wrote: “Important win! 💪 We’re not stopping! 👊🏽”
Ronaldo boasts of scoring 53 goals in 2023 and is leading the goalscoring charts ahead of Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland and Harry Kane. With Mbappe and Kane enjoying their winter break away from football, only Haaland remains in contention with Ronaldo for being the top scorer in the calendar year. However, the Norwegian has been nursing a foot injury at Manchester City and it remains uncertain whether Pep Guardiola will field him in Premier League fixtures against Everton and Sheffield United on Wednesday and Saturday, respectively.
Ronaldo will be looking to add his ever-increasing tally of goals when he takes the pitch against Al-Taawoun on Saturday. Al-Nassr will then take a mid-season break before hosting Al-Fateh on February 15.
