Cristiano Ronaldo did not need long to remind everyone of what he can still do.
Returning to competitive football for the first time since Portugal’s 2026 World Cup campaign, the 41-year-old stepped off the bench and scored for Al Nassr in their 4-0 win over Al Riyadh on Friday, August 21.
Ronaldo was introduced shortly after the hour mark and needed only about 20 minutes to make his return count, turning sharply inside the box before firing past the Al Riyadh defence for Al Nassr’s fourth goal.
It was his first appearance since Portugal were knocked out of the World Cup by Spain and his first competitive outing of the new Saudi Pro League season.
And the goal was more than just a welcome-back moment.
It took Ronaldo’s career tally to 977, leaving him 23 goals away from the 1,000-goal landmark he has been chasing in the twilight of his career.
For a player who has spent more than two decades making scoring goals look routine, there was something fitting about the way he returned. No long build-up, no easing himself back into the action. Ronaldo came on, found his position and finished the job.
His absence had also given Al Nassr’s new-look attack room to settle. The Saudi champions had already opened the league season with a 3-0 win over Al Fateh while Ronaldo watched from the stands, with new signing João Félix and Angelo Gabriel among those making an early impression.
But with Ronaldo back, the spotlight quickly returned to the man who has carried Al Nassr’s goalscoring burden since arriving in Saudi Arabia.