RIYADH — Al-Nasr’s Cristiano Ronaldo capped his first full Saudi Pro League season in style as he broke the record for the most goals scored in one campaign.
The Portuguese 39-year-old scored a brace in his side’s 4-2 win over Al-Ittihad on the final matchday to bring his league tally this season to 35 goals, Reuters reported.
The previous record was held by former Al-Nasr forward and Moroccan international Abderrazak Hamdallah, who scored 34 goals in 2018-19.
Ronaldo, who played for Sporting, Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus, joined Al Nasr in January 2023.
Two strikes against Al-Ittihad ensured the former Real Madrid, Man United, and Juventus star would become the new holder for the most goals scored in a single Saudi Pro League season.
Ronaldo’s early goal was his 34th of the season, before he struck again to set a new record after finding the back of the net 35 times in just 31 league outings in the Middle East.
The previous record for the most goals scored in a single season was held by Moroccan Abderrazak Hamdallah.
Meanwhile, his latest efforts also means Ronaldo is now the first-ever player to be a top scorer in four different leagues.
Ronaldo’s first top scoring season came in England when his performances at Man United during the club’s 2007/08 Champions League winning season saw him awarded the Premier League’s golden boot.
The Portugal captain matched Alan Shearer’s 38-game record that year by finding the back of the net 31 times, before moving to Real Madrid just over a year later.
His nine-years in the Spanish capital saw Ronaldo battle back-and-forth with Lionel Messi for the LaLiga top scoring gong, and got the better of the ex-Barcelona star on three occasions.
