Cristiano Ronaldo set a new Saudi Pro League record for most goals in a single season, netting his 34th and 35th goals during Al Nassr’s final game of the campaign. Ronaldo, 39, reached this milestone as Al Nassr triumphed over Al Ittihad with a 4-2 victory on Monday.
“I don’t follow the records, the records follow me,” the Portuguese forward tweeted after the match.
The former Real Madrid and Manchester United star scored in first-half stoppage time and again with a header in the 69th minute, surpassing the previous record of 34 goals set by Moroccan striker Abderrazak Hamdallah in the 2018-19 season.
Despite Ronaldo’s prolific performance, Al Nassr secured a second-place finish, ending the season 14 points behind champions Al Hilal.
Ronaldo joined Al Nassr in December 2022, marking the beginning of a significant influx of high-profile overseas players into the Saudi league, all enticed by lucrative contracts.
The football icon continues to make headlines not just in club football but also on the international stage. Ronaldo, who led Portugal to victory at the 2016 European Championship, has been named in the squad for this year’s edition in Germany. This marks his 11th international tournament.
With 206 appearances, Ronaldo is the most-capped player in men’s international football and holds the record for most international goals with 128.
Ronaldo’s record-breaking season underscores his enduring prowess and influence in the world of football, even as he approaches his 40th birthday.