Ronaldo Celebrates Disputed 982nd Career Goal in Al Nassr Win

Cristiano Ronaldo celebrated the 982nd goal of his career as Al Nassr defeated Al Faisaly 3-1 in the Saudi Pro League on Friday, October 23, 2026. The Ronaldo 982nd goal may ultimately be recorded as an own goal, after the ball deflected into the net off Al Faisaly defender Andrei Girotto.

The 41-year-old rose highest to meet a free kick from Joao Felix, but it remained unclear whether he made clean contact with his head before the deflection. Ronaldo immediately celebrated with his trademark ‘siu’ celebration, and the Saudi Pro League credited him with the goal, leaving him 18 short of the landmark 1,000-goal milestone.

Ronaldo 982nd goal: a header in doubt

The goal doubled Al Nassr’s advantage in the 49th minute after Abdullah Al-Hamdan had opened the scoring early in the match. Theo Bongonda pulled one back for the hosts before Angelo Gabriel scored late on to seal the victory.

Following the match, Ronaldo shared a photograph of himself celebrating on Instagram, with the caption: “Let’s go!”

Whether the goal remains credited to Ronaldo or is officially recorded as an own goal, the race towards 1,000 career goals continues to attract attention. Goal-counting disputes are common at the sharp end of a long career, where deflections and touches decide who gets the credit, and the league’s ruling stands for now.

A return after suspension

Ronaldo returned to scoring action after being handed a 30-day suspension and fined 255 euros earlier this week, following his walkout on Portugal’s national team earlier this month amid a dispute with head coach Jorge Jesus.

The suspension had kept him out of action, and his return to the scoresheet, disputed or not, will have pleased Al Nassr fans. The result marked Al Nassr’s eighth league win of the campaign, keeping them in contention alongside Al Qadsiah and Al Hilal in the Saudi Pro League title race.

At 41, Ronaldo remains a central figure for club and country, and every goal now carries extra weight because of the 1,000-goal chase. Eighteen more goals would take him to a figure no player in the modern game has reached, and each disputed effort will be examined closely as he closes in.

Why the 1,000-goal chase grips fans

The 1,000-goal mark has become a story in itself, followed far beyond Saudi Arabia. Fans count each strike, debate each deflection, and argue over which goals should count. That attention is part of Ronaldo’s lasting appeal: even in his forties, his matches still produce talking points that travel around the world.

For Al Nassr, the win matters more than the counting debate. Three points keep them in the title race, and Ronaldo’s presence lifts the side in tight matches. Angelo Gabriel’s late goal sealed a win that had looked less secure after Bongonda’s reply, and the side will take confidence from another victory.

The coming weeks will show whether the disputed goal stays on Ronaldo’s record. If it is changed to an own goal, the count moves back to 981, and the wait for 982 starts again. Either way, the chase continues, and the next match will bring fresh scrutiny.

Sport has delivered a run of fast-moving stories this week. Bukayo Saka’s injury has worried Arsenal fans, Jose Mourinho is back for the Clasico, Bayern Munich have updated fans on Vincent Kompany’s hospital stay, and South Africa have lost Anrich Nortje for the deciding Test against Australia. Ronaldo’s disputed milestone now joins them.

Frequently asked questions

How many career goals has Ronaldo scored?

The Saudi Pro League credited him with his 982nd career goal against Al Faisaly, leaving him 18 short of 1,000.

Why is Ronaldo’s 982nd goal disputed?

The ball deflected into the net off Al Faisaly defender Andrei Girotto, and it was unclear whether Ronaldo made clean contact with his head.

What was the score in Al Nassr’s match?

Al Nassr beat Al Faisaly 3-1, with Al-Hamdan, Ronaldo, and Angelo Gabriel scoring for the visitors.

Why was Ronaldo suspended before this match?

He was handed a 30-day suspension and fined 255 euros after walking out on Portugal’s national team amid a dispute with head coach Jorge Jesus.