In Riyadh, Cristiano Ronaldo’s pursuit of 1,000 career goals moved another step closer as Al Nassr defeated FK Neftchi Fergana 3-1 in the AFC Champions League group stage. The Portuguese forward scored his 981st professional goal, leaving him 19 short of the four-figure landmark amid a turbulent spell that has also included his controversial exit from Portugal’s national setup and discussion around a possible ownership change at Al Nassr.
Ronaldo makes it two scoring games in a row
- Ronaldo had already scored against Al Draih in the league on Friday, October 9.
- He returned to the scoresheet on Monday in Al Nassr’s second group-stage match of the AFC Champions League, facing Uzbekistan’s FK Neftchi Fergana.
- Ángelo Gabriel put the Saudi side ahead in the 33rd minute.
- Before the interval, Sadio Mané reached the byline on the left and delivered a cross. Ayman Yahya controlled it with his chest inside the penalty area, allowing Ronaldo to take over in front of goal.
- The 41-year-old allowed the ball to bounce once before turning and striking a forceful right-footed volley to make it 2-0.
- Alisher Odilov pulled one back for Neftchi in the 51st minute, but the visitors’ task became harder after Ikrom Aliboyev was sent off.
- Al Nassr sealed the result in the 78th minute when Anvarjon Gofurov turned the ball into his own net.
The finish extended Ronaldo’s current scoring sequence to two matches and took his official senior total to 981. His next 19 goals would carry him to a milestone no male player has previously reached in professional football.
The remaining route to 1,000
Al Nassr have 15 matches still to play before the end of 2026, leaving Ronaldo with a demanding but achievable calculation. He would need to score in every remaining fixture and register two goals in four of them, or compensate with hat-tricks in two matches, to reach 1,000 before the calendar turns.
The next stop is another major Saudi Pro League occasion: Al Nassr travel to Jeddah to face Al Ahli at King Abdullah Sports City on Thursday, October 15. Kick-off is scheduled for 12:00 Mexican Central Time.
