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Cristiano Ronaldo produced a clinical display of finishing as he scored four times to lead Al-Nassr to a 4-0 win over Al-Wehda on Thursday.
After scoring a last-minute penalty to salvage a point for his new club last week, Ronaldo didn’t leave it so late this time, opening his account for the evening with a left-footed strike into the bottom-mid corner of the first half.
He doubled his tally shortly before half-time, calmly flicking the ball past the hurried goalkeeper.
The 38-year-old had to wait more than two minutes to see if he had moved offside in the build-up, but the goal was eventually awarded.
A header would have given him the perfect hat-trick, but he had to settle for a penalty instead, sending his kick into the bottom corner to complete his hat-trick in the 53rd minute.
Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates scoring four goals in one game for Al-Nassr against Al-Wehda
Ronaldo was praised by his teammates as he led his side to a resounding victory
Piers Morgan praised Ronaldo after surpassing 500 career league goals
He even had time to add a fourth, latching on to a through ball and tucking in the rebound after his initial effort was restrained.
Ronaldo hit the milestone of 500 career league goals on the night and was later praised for the achievement by close friend Piers Morgan.
“BREAKING: Cristiano Ronaldo scores all 4 goals in Al-Nassr’s 4-0 win at Al-Wehda, surpassing 500 league goals in his career,” Morgan tweeted.
“He has now scored 61 hat tricks, 30 before he turned 30, 31 since he turned 30. He is now 38 years old. Amazing. Congratulations @Cristiano.’
Ronaldo infamously sat down with Morgan for a revealing interview in November while still playing for Manchester United, and went on to criticize the club and manager Erik ten Hag.
It spelled the end of his time at Old Trafford, and his contract was torn up by mutual consent later that month.
Ronaldo’s second goal was a powerful finish past the goalkeeper at his near post
Just over a month after his bitter exit, Ronaldo put pen to paper on a lucrative £175m-a-year deal with Al-Nassr but started his career slowly in Saudi Arabia.
Having had to wait for his debut due to a suspension that has plagued him since his time in England, Ronaldo then failed to find the net in his first two appearances for his new club.
But he finally broke through with an added-time penalty in a 2-2 draw against Al-Fateh last week, and looked sharp in front of goal on Thursday.
He now has five goals in his last two matches and Al-Nassr have become the Saudi Pro League leaders on goal difference.
Ronaldo will have the chance to continue his fine form when Al-Nassr host Al-Taawoun next Friday.
