Cristiano Ronaldo equals Super Eagles star’s Saudi Pro League record

Portuguese striker Cristiano Ronaldo tied Super Eagles striker Odion Ighalo as the eighth-highest goalscorer in Saudi Arabian Pro League after his brace in Al Nassr’s 2-1 win over Al Riyadh on Saturday, Soccernet.ng reports.

Ronaldo has been scoring goals aplenty since he moved to Saudi Arabia after the 2022 FIFA World Cup. The former Manchester United and Real Madrid star has been carrying Al Nassr on his shoulders, albeit they are yet to win the league.

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However, before Ronaldo arrived in Saudi Arabia, Super Eagles star Odion Ighalo, had the league on chokehold. He helped Al Hilal to the Saudi league title in 2022 and the Saudi Cup in 2023. He also won the League’s Golden Boot in 22.

But Ighalo has been on the decline in the last few years, as he now plies his trade at strugglers Al Wehda.

Recall that last week, Soccernet.ng reported that Ronaldo was close to surpassing Ighalo’s goal record of 72 in the league. The 37-year-old striker moved one step closer on Saturday, as he scored two goals to see Al Nassr through to a 2-1 win.

The second one was an absolute banger, and it took Ronaldo to 72 goals and 16 assists in 73 Saudi Pro League goal appearances. This means that he is now the joint-eighth highest alongside Ighalo.

Can Odion Ighalo keep up with Cristiano Ronaldo?

Ighalo still plays for Al Wehda, but he can’t keep up with Ronaldo due to the Portuguese star’s quality and the strength of his team.

The Super Eagles striker will be focused on helping Al Wehda avoid relegation this season, as they sit second from bottom. But the goals are not coming as they used to.

Ighalo is even nearing the end of his career, and he might just retire from active football in the coming years.