Five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo hailed his first goal of 2025 as “the best way to start the year” as Al-Nasr secured a nervy win at home to Saudi Pro League strugglers Al-Akhdoud.

In the first match between the two sides since the winter break in Saudi Arabia, the visitors took the lead through winger Savior Godwin at Al-Awwal Park in Riyadh. Ronaldo scored a penalty Between Sadio Mane’s double.

“It’s great to start the year with a win and a goal,” Ronaldo told his millions of followers on social media. 3-1 victory. “Come on. A great way to start the year.”

Number 1️⃣ in 2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣5️⃣ for CR7️⃣ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️#RoshnSaudiLeague pic.twitter.com/IKA1v0ZY4B

– Roshan Saudi League (@SPL_EN) January 9, 2025

Al-Nasr vs Al-Akhdoud: Ronaldo returns for 2025

Al-Nasr had a forgettable first 28 minutes of their return to action, with their relegation-threatened opponents taking advantage of poor defending to take a sixth-minute lead.

Sadio Mane was denied an equalizer in the 16th minute by a video assistant referee check, but the Senegal icon converted from close range in the 29th minute with his first goal in eight games for club and country.

A foul on Mane allowed Ronaldo to slot in from the spot three minutes before the break, although the Portugal captain was denied a swift second by goalkeeper Paulo Vitor when he went clear before half-time.

Former Bayern Munich and Liverpool forward Mane met Al-Ghannam’s inviting cross from the right with an expert header to seal victory two minutes into the second half as the underdogs pressed for an equaliser.

First SIUUU of 2025 🐐#RoshnSaudiLeague pic.twitter.com/JKWcQvXJMM

– Roshan Saudi League (@SPL_EN) January 9, 2025

Ronaldo 2024/25 Stats

Al-Nasr captain Ronaldo now has nine goals and one assist in his last six international and club matches in all competitions.

The 39-year-old has 11 goals in the 2024/25 Saudi Pro League, putting him one behind the competition’s top scorer Aleksandar Mitrovic of Al-Hilal.

Number 1️⃣ in 2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣5️⃣ for CR7️⃣ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️#RoshnSaudiLeague pic.twitter.com/IKA1v0ZY4B

– Roshan Saudi League (@SPL_EN) January 9, 2025

The result ended Al-Nasr’s two-match losing streak in all competitions and moved them into third place, eight points behind leaders Al-Ittihad and six behind Al-Hilal, both with a game to play.

With Al-Hilal 13th-placed Al-Ourobah and Al-Ittihad visiting second-bottom Al-Fiha on Saturday, Al-Nasr are unlikely to finish in the top two this week – but they cannot afford to drop further. points if they have any chance of a late surge for the title.

Al-Nasr are next in action on January 17 (5pm GMT) at Al-Tawaun, who are currently in ninth place after winning five and losing five of their first 13 league games.