Cristiano Ronaldo continues to redefine excellence in Saudi Arabian football, leading Al Nassr’s charge in the 2024-25 Saudi Pro League (SPL) with 13 goals in his first 15 matches.
At 39, the Portuguese icon remains a relentless force, combining clinical finishing, leadership, and experience to propel his team toward title contention.
Ronaldo’s Consistent Performance in 2024-25 Season
Ronaldo’s 13 goals place him atop the SPL scoring charts, averaging nearly a goal per game. His contributions include:
4 match-winning goals (31% of Al Nassr’s 13 wins this season).
3 penalties converted with a 100% success rate.
27 shots on target (65% accuracy, above the league average of 48%).
His recent penalty against Al-Okhdood on January 9, 2025, marked his first goal of the calendar year and extended his record of scoring in 23 consecutive professional seasons. That’s the reason he has gained fame among online betting enthusiasts in Saudi Arabia and other GCC countries.
While Ronaldo’s role as a central striker remains unchanged, Al Nassr’s manager has utilized his spatial awareness and hold-up play to create opportunities for wingers Sadio Mane and Ayman Yahya. This season, Ronaldo has:
Dropped deeper to link play, averaging 18.2 passes per game (up from 14.7 in 2023-24).
Created 7 big chances for teammates, resulting in 4 assists.
Thus, this dual threat of scoring and playmaking has made Al Nassr’s attack the league’s most potent, averaging 2.4 goals per game.
Ronaldo’s Captaincy and Mentorship
As captain, Ronaldo’s influence extends beyond statistics. Former Al Nassr manager Luis Castro described him as a “sensitive person” who prioritizes team cohesion. Examples include:
Mentoring young forwards: Spending 30 to 45 minutes after training sessions to refine their positioning and finishing.
Leading by example: Initiating high-pressing sequences, with 32% of Al Nassr’s recoveries in the final third starting from his efforts.
Teammates credit Ronaldo’s professionalism for raising standards. Al Nassr’s squad now averages 12% more sprints per game compared to pre-Ronaldo levels and 18% fewer disciplinary incidents (yellow/red cards) due to his emphasis on composure.
