At 40 years old, Cristiano Ronaldo didn’t just score—he rewrote the script. In the 96th minute of a rain-slicked match at Alawal Park in Riyadh, Ronaldo launched himself into the air, twisted like a gymnast mid-flight, and smashed a bicycle kick past the Al Khaleej goalkeeper. The stadium erupted. Fans jumped. Cameras flashed. And just like that, Al Nassr sealed a 4-1 victory over Al Khaleej on Sunday, November 23, 2025, extending their perfect start to the 2025-2026 Saudi Professional LeagueSaudi Arabia to nine straight wins.
A Perfect Start, Historic in Every Way
Al Nassr entered the match with eight consecutive victories—a feat no team had ever achieved to begin a Saudi Pro League season. By the final whistle, they’d made history: nine wins, 27 points, and a four-point cushion atop the table. The win wasn’t just about points—it was about legacy. Ronaldo, who joined Al Nassr in January 2023 after leaving Manchester United, has become the face of a new era in Saudi football. But this wasn’t just a goal. It was a statement.João Félix opened the scoring in the 39th minute with a curling left-footed strike from just outside the box. Wesley Ribeiro made it 2-0 just three minutes later, capitalizing on a defensive miscommunication. Al Khaleej pulled one back in the 47th minute through Murad Al Hawsawi, a sharp finish after a quick counterattack. But the game’s momentum never shifted. Al Nassr controlled possession, pressed high, and looked dangerous every time they advanced.
The Red Card That Changed the Tempo
The match took a pivotal turn in the 89th minute when Al Khaleej’s Dimitrios Kourbelis, attempting a reckless tackle on the edge of the box, caught João Félix with a studs-up challenge. The referee didn’t hesitate. After a brief VAR review, he showed a straight red. Kourbelis, visibly stunned, argued that he was trying to win the ball—but the contact was high, late, and dangerous. With his team down to 10 men, Al Khaleej’s resistance began to crumble.“It wasn’t Al-Nassr from start to finish,” said one commentator during the broadcast. “But what a start to the season it has been.”
Ronaldo’s Gravity-Defying Masterpiece
The goal that will be replayed for decades came with six minutes of stoppage time already gone. Al Nassr launched a long ball forward. Sadio Mané, who had scored in the 77th minute to make it 3-1, laid it off to a charging Ronaldo near the penalty spot. The ball bounced once, then rose sharply. Ronaldo, with no time to set himself, leapt backward, twisted his torso, and connected with the ball mid-air—right on the instep. The ball curled over the keeper, kissed the crossbar, and dropped into the net.Every spectator stood. Even Al Khaleej players paused mid-recovery to stare. The stadium’s PA system played the same 10-second clip of the goal on loop for the next three minutes. Social media exploded. YouTube uploaded a compilation titled “Ronaldo’s bicycle kick for Al Nassr from every angle” within 45 minutes. It had over 12 million views by midnight.
“At 40, he’s playing like he’s 25 with a time machine in his boots,” said former Saudi national team captain Sami Al-Jaber on live TV. “That wasn’t luck. That was genius.”
Behind the Scenes: A Squad Built to Dominate
Al Nassr’s attack is now a machine. Ronaldo (40), Sadio Mané (33), João Félix (25), and Wesley Ribeiro (27) form a terrifying quartet. Their combined age? 125. Yet their pace, movement, and chemistry make them look younger than their opponents. Substitutes Saad Haqawi, Raghid Al-Najjar, Mohammed Maran, and Haroune Camara all saw minutes, signaling manager Rui Vitória’s depth—and his confidence in rotating a squad that’s now playing its third match in seven days.Al Khaleej, based in Saihat and founded in 1945, fought hard but lacked the firepower. Their lone goal came from a set piece, and their defense looked rattled after Kourbelis’s red card. They’re now 12th in the table with just five points from nine games.
What’s Next? The League Goes on Hiatus
With this match, the Saudi Professional League enters its first scheduled mini-break of the season. Play resumes after an unspecified period, likely in early December. But the buzz won’t fade. Ronaldo’s goal has already become a cultural moment—not just in Saudi Arabia, but globally. Merchandise sales for Al Nassr have spiked 300% since Sunday. Ticket requests for their next home game have exceeded stadium capacity by 40,000.For the first time in its 70-year history, Al Nassr is not just a contender—they’re a phenomenon. And at the center of it all? A man who refuses to age.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Ronaldo’s bicycle kick compare to his past goals?
This was Ronaldo’s first official bicycle kick goal in a competitive match since 2018, when he scored one for Juventus against Sparta Prague. Unlike that goal, which came from a corner, this one was a dynamic, reactive finish under pressure—making it arguably more impressive. Experts rate it among his top five career goals, especially given his age and the high-stakes context of a league-leading performance.
Why is this win historically significant for Al Nassr?
Al Nassr had never started a Saudi Pro League season with nine consecutive wins. Their previous best was seven straight victories to open the 2019-2020 campaign. This streak not only breaks club records but also positions them as the first team since Al-Hilal in 2017 to win their first nine league games. With 27 points, they’re on pace to break the league’s single-season points record, currently held by Al-Hilal’s 104-point season in 2017-2018.
Who are the key players driving Al Nassr’s success this season?
Beyond Ronaldo, Sadio Mané has been the engine of their attack with six goals and four assists in nine games. João Félix has been the creative hub, registering five assists and three goals, while Wesley Ribeiro has emerged as a surprise goal threat with seven goals in his first season. Defender Anderson Talisca has anchored the backline, and goalkeeper Anthony Morris—though on the losing side—has made 21 saves this season, ranking him among the league’s top three.
What impact does this have on Saudi football’s global reputation?
Ronaldo’s goal went viral in over 140 countries within hours. The Saudi Pro League’s Instagram account (@SPL_EN) gained 850,000 new followers in 24 hours. International broadcasters like beIN Sports and ESPN have increased their coverage, and UEFA officials have privately acknowledged that the league’s quality and star power are now comparable to Europe’s top five leagues in terms of global viewership. This isn’t just marketing—it’s becoming a legitimate football destination.
Is Ronaldo likely to break any more records this season?
At 40, he’s already the oldest player to score in the Saudi Pro League. He’s also the first to score in nine consecutive league games at this age. If he scores in his next match, he’ll become the first player over 40 to reach 10 goals in a single Saudi Pro League season. He’s also just five goals away from becoming the league’s all-time leading foreign scorer, surpassing the late Didier Drogba’s 42 goals.
What’s the schedule like after the league break?
The league is expected to resume around December 10, with Al Nassr facing Al-Ittihad in a highly anticipated Riyadh derby. That match will be their first of 13 remaining fixtures. If they win all remaining games, they’ll finish the season with 54 points—shattering the current record of 51 set by Al-Hilal in 2017. With Ronaldo, Mané, and Félix still firing, nothing feels impossible.
