Karim Benzema scored a hat-trick in the first half for Al-Hilal against Al Kholood, while Cristiano Ronaldo netted a goal as Al-Nassr won 2-0 against Al-Okhdood, moving five points clear at the top of the Saudi Pro League.
Al-Nassr’s victory marked a significant milestone as they achieved a club record of 13 straight wins in the league. Additionally, they equalled their longest winning streak away from home with eight consecutive victories.
Ronaldo has been a standout performer this season, scoring 23 goals in 23 matches. His recent injury, which occurred after he scored five goals in four consecutive matches, raises concerns as the season approaches its final stretch.
Despite the injury setback, Ronaldo has won the Saudi Arabian Golden Boot in every season he has played, except for the 2022-23 season. He is currently just two goals short of matching his top scorer record from last season, which stood at 14 goals.
Observers have noted Ronaldo’s leadership qualities, particularly in light of his recent injury. Jorge Jesus, Al-Nassr’s coach, remarked, “Look at Ronaldo’s mentality… He didn’t care about not scoring another goal, not getting a hat-trick, and he looked to protect himself and the team. This is captaincy mentality.”
As the league progresses, the competition remains fierce, with players like Quinones and Ivan Toney also making headlines, having scored a combined total of 26 goals this season.
With seven games left until the end of the league season, the outcome remains uncertain. Details remain unconfirmed regarding the extent of Ronaldo’s injury and its potential impact on Al-Nassr’s title defense.