One player remains above all others that supporters most want to see playing in the Saudi Pro League, even with the infusion of new players during the summer: Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portuguese sensation, who joined Al-Nassr in January, is prepared to play a complete season for the first time.

Ronaldo is determined not to allow it to happen again after he and his new side lost the championship game the previous season. When you take into account the well-known players who have just entered the league and are hoping to surpass the five-time Ballon d’Or winner, Ronaldo should be even more motivated to make sure he stays at the top of his new club.

So, GOAL is here to make sure you don’t miss any of Ronaldo’s performances throughout his first full season in the Middle East. We’ll be analyzing and assessing his performance in every game he participates in in 2023–2024.October 6: Pro League: Al-Nassr 2-2 Abha

Ronaldo found it difficult to affect the outcome as Al-Nassr defeated a Pro League underdog. On a day that should have been much easier than it was, the Portuguese had a little effect. The title contenders missed a plethora of opportunities and had to settle for a dismal 2-2 draw.

The 38-year-old played a key role in setting up the first goal, putting Marcelo Brozovic in position for a brilliantly weighted backheel that gave Otavio a 1-0 lead after only five minutes.

However, he misfired for the following eighty-five minutes. Within fifteen minutes, Ronaldo had a great opportunity to make it 2-0 with a header over the crossbar, but instead he let out a frustrated yell at himself. He then missed several more half-chances to score, including scuffing a Sadio Mane cutback wide. Meanwhile, the game around him kept humming.

With Talisca’s goal, the home team led 2-0 and seemed to be headed for an easy victory. However, Abha had an answer. Saad Bguir was the first to score from the penalty spot. Then, to seal a 2-2 draw in second-half stoppage time, former Lyon winger Karl Toko Ekambi scored a goal from 25 yards out. Ronaldo’s terrible performance came to a fitting finish when he was caught offside during the build-up of Al Nassr’s last assault.

Rating: C

October 2: 2-1 for Al Nassr AFC Champions League, Istiklol

In a crucial victory for Al-Nassr in an AFC Champions League match, Cristiano Ronaldo scored a crucial equalizer despite putting on a mediocre effort.

In the first half, the Pro League championship contenders found it tough to overcome Tajikstan’s Istiklol. Ronaldo contributed significantly but was unable to score. He spotted gaps and made all the appropriate runs in and out of the box. However, the finishing touch was lacking. Five minutes before halftime, he scuffed a shot that Rustam Yatimov easily saved and then missed a close range opportunity.

At the end of the half, a goalkeeping error gave the visitors a 1-0 lead, making him pay for his failure to reach the net. But in the end, the desired outcome materialized. The striker had a close-range attempt blocked by a falling defender, but he pounced on the rebound and lifted the ball over the goalie to tie the score at one. Not long after, Talisca rose to tip the ball into the goal, giving Al-Nassr the lead. At the 77th minute, he scored a third with a beautiful side-footed finish.

Despite not being the game’s MVP, the Portuguese man’s services were vital to his team’s victory in its second consecutive Champions League match. Rating: B