Cristiano Ronaldo Scores Hat-trick Against Rio Ave in Pre Season Win
- Cristiano Ronaldo scored a stunning hat-trick to lead Al-Nassr to a 4-0 victory over Rio Ave in a pre-season friendly
- Ronaldo unselfishly handed a penalty to Sadio Mane, who missed, but the Portuguese forward quickly made up for it with a header seconds later
- Joao Felix impressed on his second start, registering the most chances created, most final-third passes, and most duels won in the game
Cristiano Ronaldo showed once again that age is no barrier, netting a hat-trick as Al-Nassr cruised to a 4-0 win over Portuguese side Rio Ave in a pre-season friendly at the Estadio do Algarve.
After finishing the 2024–25 Saudi Pro League season as top scorer with 25 goals, the 40-year-old forward was in lethal form again on Thursday night.
Source: Getty Images
Al-Nassr opened the scoring in the 15th minute through Mohamed Simakan, who slotted home after Joao Felix nodded the ball into his path.
Ronaldo made it 2-0 just before halftime, finishing smartly at the near post following a slick exchange with fellow Portuguese star Felix.
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Mane misses penalty, Ronaldo scores again
In the 63rd minute, Al-Nassr were awarded a penalty after Nelson Abbey handled the ball inside the area.
Ronaldo unselfishly allowed Sadio Mane to take the spot-kick, but the former Liverpool man’s weak effort was easily saved by Cezary Miszta.
Just 16 seconds later, Ronaldo made amends with a bullet header to extend the lead to 3-0.
Five minutes on, Felix was brought down in the box by Abbey, and this time Ronaldo stepped up to take the penalty himself—coolly converting to complete his hat-trick.
He registered a game-high six shots, with five on target, and an xG of 1.34 from Al-Nassr’s total 2.9.
It was also a standout performance from Joao Felix, who in only his second start created the most chances (3), delivered the most final-third passes (25), and won the most duels (12) in the match.
"Keep Pushing": Ronaldo’s Message to the World
After the match, Ronaldo shared a short but impactful post on Instagram and X:
“Keep pushing, there’s more to do.”
Ronaldo reacts after Ballon d'Or snub
Meanwhile, Cristiano Ronaldo has spoken out after being snubbed from the 2025 Men’s Ballon d’Or nominees list.
For the second year running, neither he nor long-time rival Lionel Messi made the cut.
This year’s frontrunners include PSG’s Ousmane Dembele and Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal.
Despite netting 33 goals across all domestic competitions last season and lifting the Nations League trophy with Portugal, the 40-year-old icon will once again miss next month’s ceremony in Paris.
His omission comes after years of public discontent with the award. In 2021, he appeared to criticise Messi’s win over him, and in 2024, he dismissed the Ballon d’Or as having “no credibility” when Rodri beat Vinicius Junior to the prize.
Source: YEN.com.gh
