Cristiano Ronaldo’s second-half goal for Al-Nassr against Al-Faisaly has officially been credited to the Portugal forward, ending debate over whether it was an own goal.
Al-Nassr secured a 3-1 victory in the Roshn Saudi League match at Al Majma’ah Sports City on Friday, in the competition’s 11th round.
Ronaldo put Al-Nassr 2-1 ahead in the 49th minute. The captain met a cross from fellow Portugal international Joao Felix, who had delivered the ball from a free-kick, and headed it into the net.
However, some social media users questioned the decision to award the goal to Ronaldo. They claimed the ball had gone in off an Al-Faisaly defender and should therefore have been recorded as an own goal.
Saudi journalist Ali Al-Anzi said the match referee’s official report had settled the issue. Writing on X, he posted: “Officially: the match referee’s report stated that Al-Nassr’s second goal was scored by Cristiano Ronaldo.”
The referee’s decision also matched the goal details published on the official Roshn Saudi League website, where it was listed in Ronaldo’s name. The Portugal forward is also known as the “Madeira Rocket”.
The goal carried particular significance for Ronaldo, as it was the 982nd of his career. He is now 18 goals short of becoming the first player in football history to reach 1,000 goals.
