Cristiano Ronaldo’s SENSATIONAL start to 2023-24 Saudi Arabian season

Cameron Smith

Updated: 13 Aug 2023 15:21 BST
4 min read

Cristiano Ronaldo, Al-Nassr, Saudi Arabia — © ProShots

Cristiano Ronaldo remains the biggest name in Saudi Arabia, despite the flurry of summer arrivals, and the five-time Ballon d’Or winner has started the new campaign in fine form.

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Having netted 14 goals and provided two assists in 16 league matches for Al-Nassr after joining the Saudi Arabian side after the 2022 World Cup, Ronaldo has picked up where he left off last year.

Al-Nassr’s Saudi Pro League campaign does not start until tomorrow (13 August) with an away trip to face Steven Gerrard’s Al-Ettifaq - who have signed Jordan Henderson, Moussa Dembele and Jack Hendry this summer - but they have already lifted the Arab Club Champions Cup.

MORE: Cristiano Ronaldo at Al-Nassr: Goals, assists, results & fixtures

Ronaldo in the Arab Club Champions Cup

The 38-year-old began the tournament on the bench for Al-Nassr, but was introduced with 28 minutes left of their game against Al-Shabab.

However, his form during the rest of the competition was exemplary. The former Real Madrid and Manchester United star bagged one goal apiece against US Monastir, Zamalek, Raja CA and Al-Shorta, and then netted a brace as Al-Nassr beat Al-Hilal in the final.

Ronaldo was joined by Seko Fofana, Sadio Mane, Marcelo Brozovic, Alex Telles and Anderson Talisca in the Al-Nassr starting XI, while Ruben Neves, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, Kalidou Koulibaly and Malcom all started for Al-Hilal.

MORE: Saudi Pro League summer transfers 2023: All the Done Deals

Al-Nassr suffered two late red cards - with Abdulelah Al-Amri and Nawaf Boushal both sent their marching orders - but held on to clinch Ronaldo’s first trophy since his move to Saud Arabia in late 2022.

The 38-year-old forward also took home the Arab Club Champions Cup Golden Boot, with his tally of six goals better than any other player in the competition.

He is expected to be among the candidates to win the Saudi Pro League Golden Boot this season, although Ronaldo is set to face competition from his former Real Madrid team-mate Karim Benzema, now of Al-Ittihad.

MORE: Karim Benzema, Cristiano Ronaldo & others set to lead their clubs in the Saudi Pro League title race