Cristiano Ronaldo ends strike as Al Nassr forward starts vs. Al Fateh

Riyadh, Feb. 14 — Cristiano Ronaldo’s self-imposed exile is over. After sitting out back-to-back Saudi Pro League fixtures in protest over what he perceived as insufficient investment from the Public Investment Fund (PIF), the Portuguese forward returned to Al Nassr’s starting XI on Saturday night and promptly restored normal service, opening the scoring in the 18th minute to set the hosts on course for a 2-0 victory over Al Fateh.

The 39-year-old had not appeared for the Yellow Knights since a 3-0 win at Al Kholood on Jan. 30, with his absence triggered by frustration over PIF’s winter transfer strategy. While Al Nassr stood relatively pat, city rival Al Hilal—also majority-owned by the sovereign wealth fund—strengthened significantly, most notably luring Karim Benzema from fellow PIF club Al Ittihad. Ronaldo, once Benzema’s prolific partner at Real Madrid, attempted to block the move but ultimately watched the Frenchman relocate to the capital, where Benzema has since rattled off three goals in two matches, including a debut hat-trick in a 6-0 rout of Al Akhdoud.

Ronaldo’s reintegration began under the lights at Al-Awwal Park, and his early header against Al Fateh served as an emphatic answer to any questions about commitment. The strike, his 17th of the league campaign, keeps him third in the Golden Boot race and leaves him 39 goals shy of the career 1,000-mark across senior competitions.

The win moves Luis Castro’s side within four points of leaders Al Hilal as the title run-in intensifies. With PIF controlling four of the league’s heavyweight clubs—Al Nassr, Al Hilal, Al Ahli and Al Ittihad—internal politics are never far from the surface, yet Saturday’s result reminded onlookers that Ronaldo remains capable of deciding matches even amid boardroom tension.

Al Fateh, winless in three, rarely threatened after conceding the opener, and a second-half insurance goal sealed a valuable three points for the home side as it seeks a first Saudi Pro League crown since Ronaldo’s arrival in 2023.