Cristiano Ronaldo played a pivotal role in Al-Nassr’s 2-0 victory over Al-Wehda on Tuesday, not only scoring but also displaying remarkable sportsmanship by allowing teammate Sadio Mané to take a crucial penalty.
The Portuguese star opened the scoring in the 48th minute with a well-placed header from a cross delivered by former RC Strasbourg player Angelo.
The goal further cemented Ronaldo’s dominance in the Saudi Pro League, where he now leads the scoring charts with 17 goals, just ahead of Karim Benzema.
However, it was his unselfish act towards Mané that became the defining moment of the night.
A Confidence Boost for Mané
Late in the match, Al-Nassr won a penalty after an opposition handball. Rather than stepping up himself, Ronaldo handed the ball to Mané, who had been struggling with a nine-game goal drought.
The Senegalese forward converted the spot-kick, ending his difficult spell and receiving an emotional reaction from both the crowd and his teammates.
Recognizing the significance of the moment, Ronaldo urged the fans to applaud Mané rather than express frustration over his recent struggles.
The gesture underscored his leadership on and off the pitch, reinforcing team unity as Al-Nassr pushes forward in the league.
Ronaldo’s Apology for Match Delay
Beyond his performance, Ronaldo also addressed an unusual pre-match issue. The game’s kickoff was delayed due to Al-Nassr’s team bus enduring a three-hour journey caused by traffic congestion.
Following the victory, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner took the opportunity to apologize on behalf of the club.
“I want to apologise on behalf of Al-Nassr. This should not happen again,” Ronaldo told SSC Sports, as reported by Reuters.
Al-Nassr’s Winning Mentality
With this latest triumph, Al-Nassr moves up to third place in the Saudi Pro League, reinforcing their determination to compete for the title.
Ronaldo, fully embracing his leadership role, emphasized the team’s focus moving forward.
“We have to continue winning, match after match, rebuild our confidence and see where it takes us,” he stated.
As Ronaldo edges closer to his personal milestone of 1,000 career goals—now sitting at 725—his contributions extend far beyond his individual achievements, as he continues to uplift his teammates and inspire the squad’s ambitions.
#CR7, chasing a record goal tally, gave the penalty to Sadio Mane to take 🫂
A captain, a leader, and a 🐐 pic.twitter.com/hJgAoK0x48
— Roshn Saudi League (@SPL_EN) February 25, 2025
