- Cristiano Ronaldo netted a free-kick as Al-Nassr defeated Al Feiha on Tuesday
- 39-year-old has scored in both of the Saudi Pro League side’s games this season
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Cristiano Ronaldo netted the 899th goal of his career in Al-Nassr’s win over Al Feiha on Tuesday.
After Talisca gave the visitors the lead at the King Abdullah Sport City Stadium, Ronaldo has the chance to double their advantage after a foul on the edge of the box.
Opting for placement over power, the 39-year-old curled his strike beyond the wall and into the top corner to the goalkeeper’s left.
The strike marked Ronaldo’s 64th goal from free-kicks, moving him to just one behind fellow set-piece specialist and Premier League leader David Beckham’s career total.
The goal comes less than two weeks after Ronaldo was mocked on social media after sending a set-piece ballooning over the bar in the Saudi Super Cup semi-final.
Cristiano Ronaldo continued his storming start to the season in Al-Nassr’s victory over Al Feiha
The 39-year-old’s first-half free-kick marked the 899th goal of his glittering career
Before stepping up to take the strike, he confidently told himself in Portuguese: ‘I’m the best.’
However, his ensuing effort left a lot to be desired, careering high above the gold and failing to even elicit a reaction from the goalkeeper.Â
While the Portuguese forward’s free-kick record has him rubbing shoulders with some of the game’s greats, he still has some work to do if he is to set the all-time record before hanging up his boots.
Fondly remembered for his eight-year spell at Lyon, Juninho Pernambucano currently holds the title as the most prolific player in football history from a dead ball situation.
The former Brazil international netted 198 career goals in all, with an astonishing 77 of those coming from free-kicks.
Ronaldo’s long-time rival Lionel Messi tops the chart for active players, with 65 free-kick goals in his glittering career.
Marcelo Brozovic added Al-Nassr’s third before Talisca added his second of the game in stoppage time to complete the rout.
Ronaldo has now netted in both of Al-Nassr’s Saudi Pro League fixtures this season.Â
Ronaldo is now just one goal behind David Beckham and Lionel Messi in the all-time free-kick standings
Speaking on his future plans, he revealed he could remain at the club for the remainder of his career: ‘I don’t know if I will retire soon, in two or three years… but probably I will retire here at Al Nassr.’
‘I’m very happy at this club, I feel good in this country too. I’m happy to play in Saudi Arabia and I want to continue.’ he added.Â
