Ronaldo scores 980th career goal as Al-Nassr beat Al-Diriyah 3-0

Ronaldo scores on his return to the Al-Nassr side

Cristiano Ronaldo returned to the Al-Nassr starting lineup on Friday and scored the opening goal in a 3-0 Saudi Pro League win over Al-Diriyah at Al-Awwal Park in Riyadh. The goal came in the 23rd minute, when Kingsley Coman's powerful shot was spilled by goalkeeper Waleed Abdullah and Ronaldo pounced from close range. It was his 980th career goal, leaving him 20 short of the 1,000 mark. Ronaldo celebrated with his signature "siuuu" call, according to AD.nl. Samú Costa doubled the lead just over half an hour into the match. Coman added the third after a long run, with Ronaldo unmarked beside him, according to NOS.

The dispute with Jorge Jesus

Ronaldo's return to club duty followed a turbulent week with the Portugal national team. He left the squad after Portugal's Nations League win over Norway (2-1) in Oslo, following a dispute with Jorge Jesus, who coached Al-Nassr before becoming Portugal's head coach. Sportowefakty reported that Ronaldo accused Jesus of breaking a gentlemen's agreement, while AD.nl reported that he left over a lack of playing time. Sportowefakty also reported that a threat of strict disciplinary consequences from the Portuguese federation now hangs over him. In a statement on Wednesday, Ronaldo said:

It is a mistake not to bring on someone with the stature of Pelé and Maradona.

Fans rally behind the captain

Supporters at Al-Awwal Park unfurled a giant banner reading "Greatness is earned" and raised thousands of placards forming a "CR7" symbol before kickoff, according to Sportowefakty. Fans on social media treated the display as a show of loyalty after the Portugal row, and the club's supporters made clear that no one at the club intended to question his status. Ronaldo's goal was the first of the season's Al-Nassr total he will carry into the next fixtures, and the stadium reaction reflected how the crowd had backed him throughout the week.

Standings and the weekend ahead

Al-Nassr and Al-Qadsiah both have 19 points after eight rounds, with Al-Qadsiah ahead on goal difference according to NOS. Al-Qadsiah beat Al-Kholood 5-0 on Friday, with Tijjani Reijnders scoring from a free kick after four minutes, and Christopher Bonsu Baah, Musab Al-Juwayr, Mateo Retegui and Julián Quiñones (penalty) also finding the net, according to AD.nl. Al-Qadsiah is coached by Brendan Rodgers, the former Swansea City, Liverpool, Leicester City and Celtic manager. The title picture could shift on Saturday, when Al-Hilal and Al-Ittihad meet at 20:00, with a win for either side allowing it to move to the top of the table.