Ronaldo nets 50th SPL goal but VAR denies winner

Cristiano Ronaldo endured a frustrating start to the Saudi Pro League season on Thursday after what looked to be his winning goal for Al Nassr was ruled out by the video assistant referee.

Ronaldo found the net for the second time with 15 minutes remaining in Al Nassr’s home game against Al Raed on the opening day of the new season. However, following a long check by VAR, he was ruled offside.

That left the match to finish 1-1, despite Ronaldo putting his side ahead in the first half. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner, who set a league record last season with 35 goals, grabbed his first goal of the new campaign with a powerful close-range header in the 34th minute.

The goal was Ronaldo’s 50th in 48 games in the Saudi Pro League.

But Al Raed, who finished 12th last season, levelled the score through Mohammed Fouzair four minutes into the second half.

Adding to the irritation for Ronaldo and his team, Al Nassr were denied a penalty for handball deep into second-half stoppage time, despite the referee reviewing the incident on the pitch-side monitor. 

Ronaldo is still seeking his first major trophy since joining Al Nassr following his exit from Manchester United in December 2022.

After finishing runners-up to Al Hilal in both the Saudi Pro League and Saudi King’s Cup last season, Al Nassr were again beaten by the Riyadh side in the Saudi Super Cup on Saturday.