Cristiano Ronaldo scored and unveiled a brand-new slam dunk celebration as Al Nassr thrashed Al Najma 5-0 to climb to the top of the Saudi Pro League. The Portuguese star moved closer to the 1,000-goal milestone while keeping the title race wide open.
Cristiano Ronaldo once again proved why he remains one of football’s biggest attractions, delivering both a goal and a viral moment as Al Nassr FC cruised to a commanding 5-0 victory over Al Najma SC in the Saudi Pro League.
The emphatic win not only sent Al Nassr to the top of the league table but also brought Ronaldo closer to his remarkable personal milestone of 1000 career goals.
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The Portuguese superstar wasted no time making his presence felt. Just seven minutes into the match, Al Nassr were awarded a penalty, and Ronaldo stepped up with his trademark composure. With calm precision, he sent the goalkeeper the wrong way to give his side an early advantage.
While fans expected his iconic “Siuuu” celebration, Ronaldo had something entirely different in store. Instead of the familiar leap and spin, he performed a basketball-style slam dunk gesture. The unexpected move instantly became the talking point of the match and quickly spread across social media platforms worldwide.
At 41, Ronaldo continues to find new ways to entertain supporters and dominate headlines. The celebration added flair to an already impressive night for his team and demonstrated that he still knows how to capture the global spotlight.
The celebration also sparked debate among fans online. Some believe the slam dunk gesture may have been a playful nod to recent comments made by Ruben Neves. Neves had earlier criticized certain handball decisions in the league, joking that players seemed to be “playing basketball” during matches.
Whether intentional or not, Ronaldo’s celebration added an extra layer of intrigue to the contest and fueled discussions far beyond the final whistle.
On the pitch, the gulf in quality between the two sides was evident throughout the evening. League leaders Al Nassr dominated proceedings against a struggling Al Najma side that currently sits at the bottom of the standings.
After Ronaldo’s early opener, Al Nassr maintained complete control of possession and tempo. Kingsley Coman doubled the lead in the 31st minute with a well-taken finish, capitalizing on sustained pressure.
Defender Iñigo Martínez extended the advantage to 3-0 in the 42nd minute, effectively putting the game beyond reach before halftime. The visitors showed no signs of slowing down in the second half.
In the 52nd minute, Sadio Mané added a fourth goal after receiving a precise pass from Ronaldo inside the box. Mané calmly slotted the ball home, underlining the team’s fluid attacking movement.
Martínez later completed his brace in the 80th minute, rounding off a dominant team performance. For Al Najma, who have managed just eight points this season, the night was about limiting further damage rather than mounting any realistic comeback.
Ronaldo’s penalty strike took his official career tally to 965 goals, leaving him just 35 short of the historic 1000-goal mark ,a feat no player in modern football has officially reached.
This season, he has been in exceptional form, scoring 21 goals in 21 league appearances. His consistency keeps him firmly in the race for the Golden Boot, trailing Ivan Toney by only two goals. Despite scoring just once against Al Najma-and from the penalty spot, Ronaldo remains one of the most decisive figures in the title race.
The victory moves Al Nassr to 58 points at the top of the Saudi Pro League table. They now sit two points ahead of Al Ahli and three clear of Al Hilal, setting up an intense battle for the championship in the final stretch of the campaign.
With 11 matches still remaining, every fixture carries significant weight. Al Nassr will feel confident after such a commanding display, but their rivals remain close enough to capitalize on any slip-ups.
For Ronaldo, the season is shaping up to be memorable on multiple fronts-a potential league title, a Golden Boot challenge, and the pursuit of an unprecedented 1000 career goals.
