Cristiano Ronaldo overtakes player's goal scoring record.

Cristiano Ronaldo scored in Al-Nassr’s 2-1 Saudi Pro League victory over Al Fateh, surpassing Lionel Messi to break the record for most goals scored.

The 39-year-old gave Al Fateh the lead with a low strike into the bottom corner from inside the area in the 17th minute. Just before the half-hour, Salem Al-Najdi gave Al Fateh their equalizer.

Otavio’s goal midway through the second half gave Al-Nassr the lead again, and they held on to win their first league match since the mid-season winter break.

With just 19 Saudi Pro League games played, Ronaldo’s first goal of the season has brought his total to 21 goals. His Al-Nassr team is still in second place in the standings, seven points behind leaders Al-Hilal.

Throughout his remarkable career, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner has shattered numerous individual records, and his most recent success has cemented his place in history once more.

In fact, Ronaldo has scored an incredible 715 goals for club and country without using a penalty kick during his nearly 22-year professional career.

With 875 goals in all competitions, including 741 club goals in 995 appearances and 128 strikes in 205 caps for Portugal, the Portuguese legend has eclipsed fellow football legend Messi, who has scored 714 non-penalty goals. However, on Thursday, when his Inter Miami side kicks off their 2024 MLS campaign against Real Salt Lake, he will have the opportunity to retake the lead. Since leaving Manchester United to join Al-Nassr in January 2023, Ronaldo has contributed with 40 goals and 13 assists in just 46 matches, including 26 goals and 11 assists in 27 games this season.

When Al-Nassr won the Arab Club Champions Cup in August of last year, Ronaldo celebrated collecting his first trophy with the team. This season, he hopes to lead the giants from Riyadh to even more glory in the AFC Champions League and King’s Cup.

In the Saudi Pro League, victory is still conceivable, but Al-Hilal, the undefeated leaders with 56 points from a possible 60, don’t seem to be showing any signs of giving up.

In the second leg of their AFC Champions League last-16 match against Al Feiha on Wednesday, Ronaldo will try to add to his goal total for Al-Nassr, who lead 1-0 thanks to a late goal from the Portuguese No. 7.