Nassr's Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the Saudi Pro League football match between Al-Wehda and Al-Nassr at the King Abdulaziz Stadium in Mecca on February 9, 2023. (Photo by AFP)
Nassr's Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the Saudi Pro League football match between Al-Wehda and Al-Nassr at the King Abdulaziz Stadium in Mecca on February 9, 2023. (Photo by AFP)
Nassr's Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the Saudi Pro League football match between Al-Wehda and Al-Nassr at the King Abdulaziz Stadium in Mecca on February 9, 2023. (Photo by AFP)
Nassr's Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the Saudi Pro League football match between Al-Wehda and Al-Nassr at the King Abdulaziz Stadium in Mecca o

Sport

Football

Cristiano Ronaldo hails 'special night' after another Al Nassr hat-trick

Win over Damac keeps Riyadh club top of the Saudi Pro League

Steve Luckings
Steve Luckings

February 26, 2023

  • English
  • Arabic

Cristiano Ronaldo described his latest outing for Al Nassr as a "special night" as a first-half hat-trick against Damac kept the Riyadh club top of the Saudi Pro League.

The Portuguese striker opened the scoring on 18 minutes with a well-struck penalty into the top left corner before doubling Nassr's advantage with a composed finish from the edge of the area five minutes later.

He completed his treble – the 62nd of his career – on the stroke of half time by applying the finishing touch to Abdulrahman Ghareeb's cutback.

"Special night. Well done guys!" Ronaldo said in a Twitter post.

The win keeps Nassr two points clear of Al Ittihad at the top of the table on 43 points from 18 games.

Ronaldo has now scored eight goals in five appearances since joining Nassr in December on a two-and-a-half year contract worth a reported $200 million a year.

The former Real Madrid and Juventus star scored four goals against Al Wehda on February 9 having opened his account the previous week with a stoppage-time penalty against Al Fateh.

The 38-year-old, the most prolific marksman in men's international and club football, has now scored 506 goals in league football across Portugal, England, Spain, Italy and Saudi Arabia.

He joined the Saudi side as a free agent having had his contract terminated at Manchester United the previous month.

Ronaldo scores four goals against Al Wehda

  • Al Nassr's Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates scoring his team's second goal against Al Wehda in the Saudi Pro League match at the King Abdulaziz Stadium in Makkah on February 9, 2023. Ronaldo bagged all four goals in a 4-0 win. AFP
    Al Nassr's Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates scoring his team's second goal against Al Wehda in the Saudi Pro League match at the King Abdulaziz Stadium in Makkah on February 9, 2023. Ronaldo bagged all four goals in a 4-0 win. AFP
  • Al Nassr's Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates scoring his team's fourth goal. AFP
    Al Nassr's Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates scoring his team's fourth goal. AFP
  • Al Nassr forward Cristiano Ronaldo kisses the ball before taking a penalty. The Portuguese striker converted for his hat-trick - the 61st treble of his career. AFP
    Al Nassr forward Cristiano Ronaldo kisses the ball before taking a penalty. The Portuguese striker converted for his hat-trick - the 61st treble of his career. AFP
  • Al Nassr's Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo scores from the penalty spot for his and Nassr's third goal. AFP
    Al Nassr's Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo scores from the penalty spot for his and Nassr's third goal. AFP
  • Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates scoring his team's second goal. AFP
    Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates scoring his team's second goal. AFP
  • Al Nassr forward Cristiano Ronaldo runs with the ball. AFP
    Al Nassr forward Cristiano Ronaldo runs with the ball. AFP
  • Al Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates scoring his team's fourth goal. AFP
    Al Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates scoring his team's fourth goal. AFP
  • Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates with teammates after scoring his team's third goal. AFP
    Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates with teammates after scoring his team's third goal. AFP
  • Al Nassr's Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates with teammates. AFP
    Al Nassr's Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates with teammates. AFP
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Updated: February 26, 2023, 4:43 AM
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