Cristiano Ronaldo’s strike at Al Nassr is reportedly set to end, and we may see him playing for the Saudi Pro League club against Al Fateh on 14 February. The 41-year-old Ronaldo missed the league matches against Al Riyadh and Al Ittihad recently after falling out with the club.

Ronaldo was reportedly unhappy that the Public Investment Fund-owned club did not make
any major signings in the January transfer window, as he aims to win his first Saudi Pro League title. Ronaldo was further enraged with Al Hilal, Al Nassr’s closest league title competitor, spending big money on multiple players, including Karim Benzema from Al Ittihad. Al Hilal are also co-owned by PIF.

Ronaldo set to return for Al Nassr

The situation got so tense that the league had to clarify that clubs in the Saudi Pro League operate independently and PIF does not favour any one particular team.

“The Saudi Pro League is structured around a simple principle: Every club operates independently under the same rules,” the league said. “Clubs have their own boards, their own executives and their own football leadership. Decisions on recruitment, spending and strategy sit with those clubs, within a financial framework designed to ensure sustainability and competitive balance. That framework applies equally across the league.”

Nonetheless, the good news is that Ronaldo and Al Nassr are back on the same page after the club agreed to the Portuguese star’s demands.

Suspended Simão Coutinho (sporting director) and José Semedo (CEO) have been reinstated in their positions, ESPN has reported. This decision has paved the way for Ronaldo to return to the pitch for Al Nassr.

He has scored 18 goals in 22 games for Al Nassr in the ongoing season. The Riyadh-based club is currently second in the Saudi Pro League, only one point behind leaders Al Hilal.

Real Madrid coach Alvaro Arbeloa is backing Kylian Mbappe to break Cristiano Ronaldo’s records at the club after the French star found the net once again in Los Blancos’ 2-0 win over Valencia in the LaLiga on Sunday, February 9.

Real Madrid defeated Valencia comfortably after a scratchy first half on Sunday. Alvaro Carreras broke the deadlock in the 65th minute before Mbappe doubled the lead in the injury time. Despite the win, Arbeloa’s men still remain a point adrift of the leaders Barcelona who thrashed Mallorca on Saturday.

Arbeloa praises Mbappe after win

“Words fail to describe Kylian,” Arbeloa said after the match. “We thought we wouldn’t see anything like Cristiano, but he’s on his way. We’re very lucky to have him. He’s the best player in the world right now.”

“Like I said, Cristiano’s performance seemed otherworldly, and Kylian still has a long way to go, but he has the talent to follow in his footsteps. Why not surpass him? If anyone can, it’s Kylian,” the Real Madrid head coach said.

Mbappe has now fired seven goals in his last six matches in LaLiga where he is currently leading the goalscoring charts. In fact, he has 23 goals, eight more than the second-placed Vedat Muriqi of Mallorca. He has a total of 38 goals this season. Ronaldo’s record in one campaign at Madrid was 61 goals in the 2014-15 season.

He also praised Carreras who opened the scoring for the Madrid side against Valencia to set up his side’s seventh straight victory in the league.

“Alvaro’s goal shows that he has a lot of talent going forward. He also scored a great goal against Valencia in the first leg. There are no adjectives left to describe Kylian. We thought we weren’t going to see anything like Cristiano, but this one is on his way,” Arbeloa said after the match.

Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo (AP Photo)

Cristiano Ronaldo’s birthday is more than a personal milestone. It is a moment for the sporting world to look back on a career that has combined relentless excellence, historic numbers and deeply human ambition. Few athletes across any sport have commanded the level of global admiration that Ronaldo continues to enjoy. Now 41, the Portuguese great shows little sign of slowing down. Driven by discipline, fitness and an unrelenting competitive edge, Ronaldo remains focused on making 2026 count, with the long-held dream of winning the FIFA World Cup still firmly alive. A goalscorer for every generation Ronaldo’s legacy is anchored in a goalscoring record that has transcended eras, leagues and tactical trends. From his emergence at Sporting CP to iconic spells with Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus, followed by his current chapter at Al Nassr, he has delivered with remarkable consistency at the highest level.

Cristiano Ronaldo in Manchester United (Getty Images)

For Portugal, he has been a defining figure for more than two decades, blending power, aerial dominance and clinical finishing with extraordinary longevity. Ronaldo has scored 961 career goals for club and country. He stands alone as the only footballer to score over 100 competitive goals for four different clubs: Real Madrid, Manchester United, Juventus and Al Nassr. Club goals breakdown Real Madrid: 450 goals in 438 matches Manchester United: 145 goals in 346 matches Al Nassr: 117 goals in 133 matches Juventus: 101 goals in 134 matches Sporting CP: 5 goals in 31 matches

Cristiano Ronaldo (Getty Images)

International record Portugal: 143 goals in 226 appearances A trophy-laden journey Across more than 20 years at the top, Ronaldo has amassed one of the most decorated trophy collections in football history. With Sporting CP, he won the Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira in 2002. At Manchester United, his honours included three Premier League titles, the FA Cup, two League Cups, the Community Shield, the UEFA Champions League and the FIFA Club World Cup. His Real Madrid years delivered two La Liga titles, two Copa del Rey trophies, two Supercopa de España titles, four Champions League crowns, two UEFA Super Cups and three FIFA Club World Cups. At Juventus, he lifted two Serie A titles, the Coppa Italia and two Supercoppa Italiana trophies.

Cristiano Ronaldo (Getty Images)

With Al Nassr, he claimed the Arab Club Champions Cup in 2023. On the international stage, Ronaldo led Portugal to glory at the UEFA European Championship in 2016 and the UEFA Nations League in 2018–19 and 2024–25. Individually, he has won five Ballon d’Or awards, four European Golden Boots and three UEFA Men’s Player of the Year honours, underlining his sustained dominance. Records that define an era Ronaldo remains the Champions League’s all-time leading goalscorer with 140 goals and its top assist provider with 42. He is also the highest scorer in the history of Real Madrid and the Portugal national team.

Cristiano Ronaldo (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)

With 961 career goals already to his name, his pursuit of the 1,000-goal milestone continues to fuel his motivation, a target once thought unattainable. A global icon beyond football Away from the pitch, Ronaldo has built a vast commercial empire. Through endorsements, investments and his CR7 brand across fashion, fragrances and hospitality, he has become one of sport’s most powerful global brands. As of October 2025, his net worth was estimated at $1.4 billion, or approximately Rs 12,000 crore, making him the first active team-sport athlete to reach billionaire status, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. As Ronaldo marks another birthday, his story remains unfinished, driven by ambition, legacy and an enduring hunger for greatness.