According to coach Luis Castro, captain Cristiano Ronaldo motivated Al Nassr players to play perfect football, after the 8-0 win over Abha in the Saudi Pro League.

“Ronaldo always performs at his usual level, regardless of the team’s situation,” Castro said after the match on the evening of April 2. “He has an advantage in fixed situations, and with the ability to always shoot accurately. Ronaldo is a role model for anyone, and he is helping the team get used to perfect football.”

Ronaldo (right) celebrates a goal with teammate Al Nassr in the 8-0 win over Abha at Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Stadium, Abha city, Saudi Arabia, round 26 of Saudi Pro League on the evening of April 2, 2024. Photo: Al Nassr FC

Al Nassr is on a three-match winning streak, scoring 14 goals and conceding only once. In particular, the Portuguese superstar scored seven goals, accounting for 50% of the team’s statistics. In the win over the penultimate team Abha, he scored his second consecutive hat-trick, and helped his teammates score two goals, despite only playing the first half.

Ronaldo’s three goals were all scored from outside the penalty area, including two free kicks against the fence. After the match, goalkeeper Cépian Tatarusanu was criticized for conceding eight goals, including two mistakes that led to goals for Ronaldo. Former Saudi Arabia goalkeeper Mohamed Al-Deayea said: “If Abha played without a goalkeeper, maybe they would do better.” Former Egyptian striker Ahmed Mido commented: “Tatarusanu was too subjective when he rushed out at Ronaldo’s third goal, letting the opponent lift the ball over his head.”

Roanldo is leading the list of goals scored (29) and assists (10) in the Saudi Pro League this season. But according to Sofascore , Ronaldo was scored 8.01 points for his performance since the beginning of the season, still behind teammate Anderson Talisca (8.06 points).

Ronaldo has scored 56 goals in 60 matches for Al Nassr, on average he scored almost every match. However, the team was eliminated by Al Ain (UAE) in the quarterfinals of the AFC Champions League, and no longer had much hope of winning the Saudi League. Al Nassr’s goal is currently the King Cup and the Saudi Super Cup, when they have both reached the semi-finals.

Ronaldo and his teammates will meet the team that is winning 31 consecutive matches Al Hilal in the Super Cup semi-finals on the evening of April 8, but three days before that they will meet Damac in the Saudi League. Coach Castro said that he will probably use many pillars in the match against Damac, to maintain the strength to stop Al Hilal’s record winning streak.