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Al-Ahli Reclaims Saudi Pro League Lead Amidst Ronaldo’s Pursuit of Scoring Record
Al-Ahli has regained the top spot in the Saudi Pro League, capitalizing on a narrow victory while Cristiano Ronaldo continues his quest to become the league’s leading goalscorer. The competition at the summit of the Saudi Pro League is intensifying as teams battle for supremacy.
Al-Ahli’s Narrow Victory
Al-Ahli secured their position at the top of the table with a win over Al-Riyadh, though the victory wasn’t without its drama. The decisive goal came from an own goal scored by Al-Riyadh’s Milan Borjan, who inadvertently punched an inswinging corner into his own net. Despite protests regarding a potential infringement by Al-Ahli midfielder Franck Kessie, the goal stood. Earlier in the match, Al-Ahli had another goal ruled out for offside following a VAR review, with Ivan Toney’s finish being disallowed.
Ronaldo’s Goal-Scoring Form
Cristiano Ronaldo continues to be a dominant force in the league, having recently scored a brace in Al-Nassr’s 5-0 victory against Al Najmah. This performance brought his season tally to 22 league goals, leveling him with Al Qadsiah’s Julian Quinones and placing him just one goal behind Al-Ahli’s Ivan Toney, who currently leads with 23 goals. A surprising contribution to Al-Nassr’s recent success came from defender Inago Martinez, who also found the back of the net.
Recent Super Cup Outcome
Despite Ronaldo’s individual achievements, Al-Nassr recently fell short in the Saudi Super Cup, losing to Al-Ahli in a penalty shootout after a 2-2 draw. Ronaldo made history in this match by becoming the first player to score 100 competitive goals for four different clubs – Real Madrid, Manchester United, Juventus, and Al-Nassr.
Ronaldo Addresses Discontent Rumors
Recent reports suggested discontent from Ronaldo regarding the prioritization of other clubs, such as Al Hilal, by the Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), which owns Al Nassr, Al Hilal, Al Ahli, and Al Ittihad. Although, Ronaldo has refuted these claims, stating his commitment to Saudi Arabia and Al Nassr. He emphasized his happiness in the country and his desire to continue contributing to the team’s success in the league.
League Standings and Future Outlook
As of February 23, 2026, Al Nassr currently holds first place in the Saudi Pro League, narrowly ahead of Al Hilal. The race for the league title is expected to be fiercely contested as both teams continue to vie for the championship. Al-Ahli’s recent form and their Super Cup victory position them as strong contenders as well.
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