Cristiano Ronaldo scored his first goal of 2025 from the penalty spot during Al-Nassr’s 3-1 victory on Thursday night.

The 39-year-old forward and his teammates returned to action following a winter break in the Saudi Pro League, aiming to narrow the gap on leaders Al Ittihad.

In his first match post-break, Ronaldo netted in the 42nd minute. Al Akhdoud had opened the scoring early, but Al-Nassr equalized through ex-Liverpool winger Sadio Mane, who later struck again.

Following Mane’s equalizer, Al-Nassr earned a penalty, which Ronaldo confidently converted, firing into the top-right corner and celebrating with his teammates.

Cristiano Ronaldo scored his first goal of 2025 during a 3-1 win for Al-Nassr on Thursday

The 39-year-old converted from the penalty spot during their clash against Al-Akhdoud

By scoring on the night, it marks the 24th consecutive year that Ronaldo has scored a professional goal – dating all the way back to 2002.

Ronaldo recently reportedly asked Al-Nassr to sign Casemiro from Manchester United in what could be a critical factor determining his future.

The Portugal icon is in the last six months of his £175million-per-year contract with the Saudi Pro League side and is considering a move elsewhere.

He and Casemiro won 12 trophies together at Real Madrid, including four Champions Leagues and two LaLiga titles, while they also reunited at Manchester United under Erik ten Hag.

The pair are close friends and the move could be viable considering that United are open to selling the Brazilian and eager to offload his £350,000-a-week wages.

However, Mail Sport reported last week that fellow Saudi sides Al-Qadsiah and Al-Ittihad are also interested in the 32-year-old midfielder.

Marca reports that moving to the MLS is a potential option for Ronaldo, who is now 39. Conquering America has been an appealing option for some of the world’s greatest players, including Pele and Lionel Messi.

Ronaldo’s former team-mate at Old Trafford, Wes Brown, has urged the forward to take the plunge stateside.

The goal marks the 24th consecutive year that Ronaldo has scored a professional goal

Former Liverpool forward Sadio Mane found the back of the net twice during the match

‘Cristiano Ronaldo has to go to America, especially given that Lionel Messi is there as well,’ he told The Sports Daily.

‘I’ve seen Ronaldo play a few times and it’s been a good standard, he is scoring goals and looking so fit for his age, still sprinting at 40. He wants to play for as long as he can and he’s a player who can hand pick where he wants to play next.

‘He won’t hang his boots up anytime soon and will keep breaking records. He has been to a few places now and I’d love to see him add America to the list.

‘He has been scoring more goals than Messi of late and it would be great to see them go head-to-head again.’