Cristiano Ronaldo keeps edging towards one of the biggest landmarks in football history. After a hat trick on Thursday night, he now sits just 15 goals short of 1,000. Saudi goalkeeping great Mohammed Al Deayea has since added a new twist. His message is simple: score 15 more before winter, or the dream will slip away.
A wild night in Riyadh
The al-nassr vs al kholood match was anything but easy for the home side. It was a Saudi Pro League Matchday 12 game on Thursday 29 October 2026, played at Al Awwal Park in Riyadh. It produced eight goals and plenty of drama.
Al Kholood struck first. Julien Domingues scored in the 16th minute after a cross from Abdulrahman Al Dawsari. Ângelo Gabriel levelled for the hosts in the 24th minute. Sadio Mané then put al nassr in front in the 38th. Antoine Essomba pulled the visitors level again in first half stoppage time. It was 2 to 2 at the break.
The second half belonged to Ronaldo. He scored in the 66th, 72nd and 81st minutes. That is a hat trick in just 15 minutes. Two of his goals were close range finishes and one was a header. João Félix set up two of the three, and Mané played a part in the other.
Domingues added a late penalty deep into stoppage time. It was not enough. Al Nassr won 5 to 3 and stayed second in the table on 28 points. Félix finished the night with four assists, which shows how much he is driving the attack.
Ronaldo kept his reaction simple on social media. He praised a great team performance and said he was happy to help with a hat trick.
How many goals does Ronaldo have now?
Many fans ask the same thing: how many goals does ronaldo have after this result? The answer is 985 official career goals. This was also his 67th career hat trick for club and country. Seven of those have come for al-nassr since he joined in 2023.
The cristiano ronaldo goals total is spread across several famous clubs and his country. Here is a simple breakdown.
| Team | Goals |
|---|---|
| Real Madrid | 450 |
| Portugal | 146 |
| Manchester United | 145 |
| Al Nassr | 138 |
| Juventus | 101 |
| Sporting Lisbon | 5 |
| Total | 985 |
The numbers are easy to check, because they add up exactly to the headline figure. They also show how long this journey has been. Ronaldo is now 41 years old, and he is still scoring in big games.
For South African readers who follow European and Saudi football, this is a story worth watching. Ronaldo has said before that he wants to reach 1,000 before he retires. At this rate, that target no longer looks like a distant dream.
Al Deayea changes his tune, with a catch
Al Deayea is a legend of Al Hilal and Saudi football. Earlier in this debate, he doubted that Ronaldo could ever reach 1,000. His main worry was age. In his view, the Portuguese star would need too many more seasons.
That view has softened. After Ronaldo’s latest hat trick, Al Deayea now accepts that the milestone is possible. He points to Ronaldo’s fitness and hunger, which still look remarkable.
But there is a condition. Speaking on the programme “Doreena Ghair”, Al Deayea said Ronaldo must score 15 goals before the winter period. If he does not, he will not reach 1,000. In other words, the clock is now ticking.
The maths is simple. Ronaldo needs exactly 15 more goals to hit 1,000. Al Deayea has set the same number as his deadline. That turns a long term dream into a short term test.
A sarcastic dig at Saudi defences
Al Deayea did not stop there. He also took a swipe at the quality of defending in the league. His joke was that Ronaldo will reach 1,000 as long as some teams keep defending the way they do.
It is a cheeky comment, and it has stirred debate. Some people say the league is still growing. Others argue that Ronaldo’s finishing would shine in any competition. Either way, the remark has kept the milestone in the headlines.
The al nassr club vs al-kholood game gave this argument fresh fuel. Al Kholood scored three times and led twice. Defending was clearly not perfect on either side. Still, Ronaldo had to take his chances, and he did, three times in a row.
Can he really do it before winter?
Here is a simple way to look at it. Fifteen goals in a short window is a big ask for any player. Even for a ronaldo in great form, it means scoring at a very high rate.
But there are good reasons for hope:
- He has just scored three goals in a single game.
- He has strong support from Félix and Mané, who keep creating chances.
- Al Nassr are in the title race and will play many matches.
There are also risks. Injuries, rest days and tough opponents can slow any striker down. The challenge from Al Deayea is a deadline he set himself. It is not an official rule, and Ronaldo can still reach 1,000 later if the timing slips.
That is why the debate is so lively. Fans can follow it in a simple way: count the goals, one match at a time. Every game now adds a small piece to the story. Updated fixtures and results are easy to find on the official Saudi Pro League website.
What this means for Al Nassr
Beyond the milestone, this result matters for the team. Al Nassr need points to stay close to the leaders. A win in a match this messy shows character. They fell behind twice and still came out on top.
Ronaldo’s goals also lift the whole squad. When he scores, the team usually gains confidence. Félix is playing with freedom, and Mané is stepping up at key moments. Together, they make life difficult for any defence.
The next few weeks will be important. Each ronaldo goals update will be watched closely, not just in Saudi Arabia but around the world. Supporters in South Africa will be tuning in too, as the chase for 1,000 is now a global story.
The bottom line
Here is the story in a few simple points. Ronaldo scored a hat trick in a 5 to 3 win over Al Kholood. That took him to 985 career goals, just 15 short of 1,000. Al Deayea, once a doubter, now says he can do it, but only if he scores those 15 goals before winter.
Whether Ronaldo meets that deadline or not, the race is thrilling. It is easy to see why fans cannot look away. A player in his forties is chasing a number once thought impossible. And with every match, the dream gets a little closer.
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