Ronaldo defies age with explosive hat-trick in Al Nassr’s victory

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

Cristiano Ronaldo, at 40 years old, continues to defy age and expectations, delivering a breathtaking hat-trick to lead Al Nassr to a commanding 4-0 victory over Portuguese side Rio Ave in a pre-season friendly at the Algarve Stadium on Thursday.

The Saudi Pro League giants showcased their attacking prowess, with Ronaldo’s clinical finishing stealing the spotlight and reinforcing his status as one of football’s greatest goal-scorers.

The match, part of Al Nassr’s pre-season preparations under new coach Jorge Jesus, saw Ronaldo open the scoring in the 44th minute, capitalizing on a precise assist from João Félix, who played a pivotal role with two assists.

Earlier, French defender Mohamed Simakan set the tone with a headed goal from a corner in the 18th minute.

Ronaldo’s second goal came in the 63rd minute, a clinical header off a cross from Wesley, and he sealed his hat-trick five minutes later with a composed penalty kick after Félix was fouled in the box.

The performance, which included five of Ronaldo’s six shots on target, underscored his enduring hunger for goals.

His recent form-four goals in two pre-season matches, including a goal in a 2-1 win over Toulouse sends a powerful message as Al Nassr gears up for the Saudi Super Cup semifinal against Al Ittihad on August 19.

Posts on X erupted with excitement, with fans hailing Ronaldo’s “unstoppable” form and one user declaring, “CR7 is still the king!”

Ronaldo’s performance also highlighted his synergy with teammates like Félix and Sadio Mané, who started alongside him.

After the match, Ronaldo posted on X, “Keep pushing, there’s more to do,” reflecting his relentless drive.