Cristiano Ronaldo has surpassed Lionel Messi to break a goalscoring record after netting in Al-Nassr's 2-1 win against Al Fateh in the Saudi Pro League.
The 39-year-old opened the scoring in the 17th minute with a low shot into the bottom corner from inside the area, before Salem Al-Najdi restored parity for Al Fateh just before the half-hour mark.
Al-Nassr regained the lead midway through the second half thanks to a strike from Otavio and they held on for maximum points in their first league game since the mid-season winter break.
Ronaldo's opener has increased his goal tally for the season to 21 in just 19 Saudi Pro League matches, with his Al-Nassr side still sitting second in the table, seven points behind leaders Al-Hilal.
The five-time Ballon d'Or winner has broken a plethora of individual records throughout his illustrious career, and his latest strike has seen him etch his name in the history books once again.
Indeed, Ronaldo now boasts a remarkable 715 non-penalty goals for club and country throughout his near 22-year professional career.
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The Portuguese icon has surpassed fellow football legend Messi, who has scored 714 non-penalty goals, although he will have the chance to move back in front when his Inter Miami side begin their 2024 MLS campaign against Real Salt Lake on Thursday.
In total, Ronaldo has netted 875 goals in all competitions, including 741 club goals in 995 appearances as well as 128 strikes in 205 caps for Portugal.
Since leaving Manchester United to join Al-Nassr in January 2023, Ronaldo has contributed with 40 goals and 13 assists in just 46 matches, including 26 goals and 11 assists in 27 games so far this season.
Ronaldo celebrated winning his first trophy with Al-Nassr when they came out on top in the Arab Club Champions Cup in August last year, and he is hoping to lead the Riyadh-based giants to further glory in the AFC Champions League and King's Cup later this season.
Success in the Saudi Pro League also remains a possibility, but there appears to be little signs of stopping unbeaten leaders Al-Hilal, who have already accumulated 56 points out of a possible 60 available.
Ronaldo will look to increase his goal tally when Al-Nassr play host to Al Feiha in the second leg of their AFC Champions League last-16 clash on Wednesday – a tie that they lead 1-0 courtesy of a late strike from the Portuguese No.7.
Oliver Thomas
