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April 12, 2025
Ronaldo may have broken many records over the course of the last two decades, but there is one in Saudi Arabia he will certainly enjoy adding to the list: Becoming the Saudi Pro League's top scorer of all-time...
Cristiano Ronaldo's relentless pursuit of records shows no signs of slowing. On a Friday night packed with headlines, the Portuguese legend once again proved his prowess by netting two goals in Al Nassr’s 3-0 victory over fierce rivals Al Hilal. That brace brought his tally in the Saudi Pro League to 70 goals in just 72 appearances. Since making his debut in January 2023, Ronaldo has scored at a staggering rate of one goal every 89 minutes, a feat that would be unimaginable for most. Now sitting ninth on the all-time scoring list in the Saudi top flight, Ronaldo has already left several former Golden Boot winners in his wake. But can he take the crown as the Saudi Pro League’s top scorer of all time?
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While the climb to the top won’t be immediate, bookmakers are beginning to take Ronaldo’s ambitions seriously. The odds for him to become the league’s all-time leading scorer stand at +400 on sportsbooks. According to gambling expert Darren Moore’s unbiased reviews on various sports betting sites, these platforms set varying odds and offer different bonuses like odds boosts, which increase potential payouts on certain bets. With Ronaldo’s current form and determination, his pursuit of the record is one to watch closely and one that could potentially pay out well.
At 40 years old, Ronaldo isn’t just battling defenders — he’s contending with time itself. Yet, with 21 goals already in the 2024–25 season and the momentum of a Golden Boot win last term, the odds feel more like a challenge than a deterrent. Al Nassr fans and global viewers alike are watching closely as each goal tightens the race between Ronaldo and history.
Ronaldo himself seems aware of the growing buzz. In a recent post-match interview, he mentioned feeling as fit as ever, crediting his strict training regimen and diet. He also hinted at having “unfinished business” in Saudi Arabia — words that only fuel speculation that he’s targeting a long-term stay and a record-breaking legacy.
For Ronaldo to achieve this objective, he’ll have to get past Al Hilal's Salem al-Dawsari and former Manchester United teammate Odion Ighalo, who also has 72 goals. It would take Ronaldo just a couple more matchdays to surpass them, barring injury or suspension. From there, the gap gradually widens.
Romarinho, a cult figure at Al Ittihad, is in sixth place with 76 goals. Though Romarinho now plays in Qatar, his presence on the list serves as a reminder of how dominant Ronaldo must be to keep climbing.
In fifth place is Bafetimbi Gomis with 81, who enjoyed four solid seasons with Al Hilal and bagged two league titles. Ronaldo could eclipse both players by the end of this season if he maintains his current form.
Things are getting trickier as the numbers climb. Nasser al-Shamrani’s post-2011 tally of 88 goals places him fourth. He was the face of Saudi football during the league’s transition into the modern era and won the Golden Boot five times. His legacy is firmly entrenched, but Ronaldo’s efficiency means overtaking him isn’t out of reach by early next season.
Mohammed al-Sahlawi stands just one goal ahead on 89, most of which were scored during his dominant decade at Al Nassr. His consistency helped the club secure three league titles, and despite never winning a Golden Boot, he was always a reliable contributor. Ronaldo could realistically pass him in 2025, especially given his tendency to score in clusters.
That’s when the gap becomes significant. Abderrazak Hamdallah, another former Al Nassr frontman, has 147 goals and remains an active threat in the league. Although now at Al Shabab, Hamdallah is still prolific — just three goals behind Ronaldo in the current Golden Boot race and the league’s top scorer in the 2023 season.
He’s also been a constant in Saudi football for over six years and boasts a goal every 91 minutes, second only to Ronaldo’s 89. To overtake Hamdallah, Ronaldo would likely need to play into the 2026–27 season and keep up his current scoring rate.
One factor in Ronaldo’s favour is his unmatched ability to stay injury-free and adapt his game. As his explosive pace fades with age, his positional awareness and finishing ability remain razor-sharp. It's the kind of evolution seen in only the most elite players.
And then there’s Omar al-Somah at the summit. With 150 goals in the modern era, the Syrian international returned to the league this year after a brief spell in Qatar.
Now 36 and playing for Al Orobah in the Saudi First Division, al-Somah’s days at the top may be numbered — but he still holds a 3-goal cushion over Hamdallah. For Ronaldo to match that number, he would need at least 80 more goals, which might require three more full seasons of elite performance. It’s a tall order even for him.
Still, this is Cristiano Ronaldo, someone who has made a habit of achieving what others thought impossible. Though he never finished as the all-time top scorer in the Premier League, La Liga, or Serie A, he did become the highest scorer in the UEFA Champions League and European international football. His 311 La Liga goals came in just 292 appearances, giving him a better goal-per-game ratio than Lionel Messi, the league’s all-time leader.
So the pieces are there. The goals-per-minute rate is unmatched. The motivation to lead Al Nassr to another title and secure his legacy in a fourth continent is still burning. Whether he ultimately sits atop the Saudi Pro League’s scoring chart may depend less on ability and more on endurance. And as long as Ronaldo keeps finding the back of the net, the odds will keep shifting in his favour.
Cristiano Ronaldo next game for Al Nassr is on April 12, against Al Ryiadh, for the Saudi Pro League. You can watch Al Nassr vs Al Ryiadh, Alaves vs Real Madrid, Leganes vs Barcelona, Manchester City vs Crystal Palace, Arsenal vs Brentford and Bayern Munich vs Borussia Dortmund, all matches provided from our soccer live streaming game pages.
Al Nassr next game:
Al Nassr vs Al Ryiadh kick-off time (12-04-2025):
Beijing (China) | UTC/GMT+7: 02:00
India (New Delhi) | UTC/GMT+4.30: 23:30
Saudi Arabia (Riyadh) | UTC/GMT+2: 21:00
Spain (Madrid) | UTC/GMT+1: 20:00
Portugal and England (Lisbon/London) | UTC/GMT+0: 19:00
Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) | UTC/GMT-3: 16:00
New York (United States) | UTC/GMT-4: 15:00
Los Angeles (United States) | UTC/GMT-7: 12:00
Sources: ronaldo7.net / dailymail.co.uk / besoccer.com
