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Ronaldo marks World Cup return with 977th career goal for Al-Nassr as substitute

Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 977th career goal just 22 minutes after coming on as a substitute in Al-Nassr's Saudi Pro League opener, his first appearance since the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

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Ronaldo marks World Cup return with 977th career goal for Al-Nassr as substitute
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Cristiano Ronaldo wasted no time announcing his return to club football, scoring his 977th career goal on Friday in Al-Nassr’s Saudi Pro League opener — his first appearance since the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Ronaldo entered the match as a substitute and needed just 22 minutes to make his mark, converting in the 83rd minute. The goal came from a right-wing pass by Ayman Yahya; Ronaldo shielded the ball with his back to goal before finishing with his left foot.

Al-Nassr had already set the tone for the new campaign, opening the Saudi Pro League season with a 3-0 win over Al Fateh on Saturday, 15 August. The club currently sit top of the table, building on last season’s Saudi Pro League title — a triumph that ended a five-year wait for major club silverware for Ronaldo.

The goal is Ronaldo’s first of the 2026-27 Saudi Pro League campaign and arrives at a significant personal juncture. The Portuguese forward said last week that this was “probably my last year of football,” with his Al-Nassr contract running until June 2027.

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