Off to a hot start to the 2025/26 season, Cristiano Ronaldo and Al Nassr faced their toughest test yet as they visit defending Saudi Pro League champions Al Ittihad on Friday.
Coming into the match, the two opponents were the only clubs remaining with a perfect record through three league matches, level atop the standings with nine points each. Al Nassr lead on goal differential, with a +11 mark compared to the +6 of Al Ittihad.
These clubs had produced entertaining matchups in recent years. Al Ittihad completed the league double over Al Nassr last season en route to the title, but Al Nassr exacted revenge earlier this year with a 2-1 win in the Saudi Super Cup semifinals.
Ronaldo enjoyed early success against Al Ittihad after joining his current Saudi club, scoring five goals in his first four league matches against the side, but he has been held scoreless in the last two meetings.
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Cristiano Ronaldo stats today vs. Al Ittihad
Al Nassr, led by Cristiano Ronaldo, topped defending Saudi Pro League title winners Al Ittihad 2-0 on Friday, with Cristiano Ronaldo scoring the team's second goal
Sadio Mane opened the scoring just nine minutes in, while Ronaldo doubled the advantage just past the half-hour mark.
Al Nassr dominated the match, doubling Al Ittihad's expected goals 2.57 to 1.23. Ronaldo's former Real Madrid teammate Karim Benzema was hardly involved, failing to register a single shot.
Cristiano Ronaldo stats vs. Al Ittihad
All data via FotMob.
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Minutes played | 90* |
| Goals | 1 |
| Assists | 0 |
| Chances created | 1 |
| Shots (on target) | 9 (2) |
| Expected goals | 1.27 |
| Passes (successful) | 17 (14) |
| Dribble success | 0 |
| Duels won | 2/4 |
| Touches | 33 |
* Ronaldo was withdrawn in second-half stoppage time
Cristiano Ronaldo stats in 2025/26
After the win over Al Ittihad, Ronaldo has four goals in four league games for Al Nassr so far in the 2025-26 season.
He opened his Saudi Pro League account from the penalty spot in a 5-0 win over Al Taawoun on Aug. 29. After failing to score against Al Kholood, he struck twice in a 5-1 victory over Al Riyadh.
CR7 has also tallied a goal and an assist in the Saudi Super Cup but has yet to feature for Al Nassr in the AFC Champions League Two. He set up João Félix in the semifinal before scoring in the final, which Al Nassr lost 7-5 on penalties to Al Ahli despite Ronaldo converting in the shootout.
On international duty, Ronaldo added three more goals for Portugal in September World Cup qualifying. He netted twice in a 5-0 win over Armenia, then scored a penalty in a 3-2 victory over Hungary.
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Cristiano Ronaldo next match
Al Nassr's next game is on Wednesday, October 1. They go on the road to face Iraqi side Al Zawraa in the AFC Champions League Two.
Last season, when Al Nassr visited Iranian club Persepolis in continental play, Ronaldo did not make the trip, so it remains to be seen whether he will be involved.
If Ronaldo does not join the club for that road match, he would not feature until after the international break, when Al Nassr return to action on October 18 in a home league match against Al Fateh.