'One of my best' - Cristiano Ronaldo makes surprising claim after trophyless campaign at Al-Nassr as he talks up significance of Saudi Pro League goal record

The Portuguese superstar has been able to maintain remarkable individual standards at 39 years of age, with 50 goals recorded across all competitions for the first time since 2016 – when he was at Real Madrid. That haul has allowed Ronaldo to make history as the highest scorer in the Saudi Pro League across a single campaign, while also becoming the first man to claim Golden Boots in four different countries.

Ronaldo said when collecting his top scorer award: “It means a lot. I feel very happy. It’s probably one of the best seasons I’ve ever had in my career in terms of goals but assists too. To be honest it means a lot because it’s my work. I have to be honest and say it’s not something I was looking for at the beginning of the season but over time I started to see that it was possible. So, I have the opportunity to say thank you to my team-mates because without the team nothing individually would have been possible – but I feel very proud to beat the Saudi league record. It’s great for me, I feel happy, and this is my motivation to play football, to train every time and to carry on like that.”

Ronaldo has 64 goals in total through 69 games for Al-Nassr, but finished as a runner-up in the Pro League and King Cup of Champions in 2024. He ended the season in tears, but added on looking towards a bright future: “I think the goals for each season is the kind of the same, it’s to do your best and win titles. If possible, to collect individual [trophies] as well but my goal is to be the same – to be the same Cristiano that you saw this season, to do my best, to achieve goals with Al-Nassr and with my Portugal national team as well. To maintain my level is what I’m looking for.”

Euro 2024 is next on the agenda for Ronaldo, with the evergreen frontman looking to chase down another major honour with Portugal while building on his record-breaking hauls of 206 caps and 128 goals for his country.