Cristiano Ronaldo turned back the clock with a breathtaking overhead kick that sent football fans into frenzy during Al-Nassr's dominant 4-1 victory on Sunday.
The Moment of Magic
The Portuguese international showed no signs of fatigue following his controversial visit to Donald Trump at the White House, producing a spectacular goal in added time that immediately drew comparisons to his legendary 2018 Champions League strike for Real Madrid against Juventus. Social media erupted as clips of the goal went viral, with one stunned fan tweeting: 'WTF, he's 40 years old!'
The 40-year-old football icon was literally crowned by teammate Salem Al-Najdi during celebrations, who placed a traditional Saudi agal on his head in recognition of his incredible achievement. The home victory solidified Al-Nassr's position at the top of the Saudi Pro League table, maintaining their four-point advantage over rivals Al-Hilal.
Disciplinary Concerns Loom
Ronaldo's spectacular goal comes during a challenging period for the superstar, who faces potential suspension from the opening matches of next summer's FIFA World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. His recent red card against the Republic of Ireland for elbowing an opponent could see him miss crucial tournament games.
However, the Portuguese football federation (FPF) is actively working to limit the suspension to just one qualifying match against Armenia. FPF president Pedro Proenca has personally involved himself in defending Ronaldo's case before FIFA, presenting three key arguments.
The federation contends that the hostile atmosphere at Aviva Stadium and comments from Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson contributed to the incident. They also argue that Ronaldo was provoked by defender O'Shea grabbing his shirt immediately before the elbow, and point to the player's impeccable disciplinary record across his 226 international appearances - this being his first ever red card for Portugal.
Political Connections and Career Context
During his international break, Ronaldo made headlines for his meeting with former US President Donald Trump at the White House. Trump told dinner guests: 'My son is a big fan of Ronaldo. Barron got to meet him and I think he respects his father a little bit more now, just that I introduced him.'
Despite his advancing years, Ronaldo continues to chase trophies with Al-Nassr, though he hasn't won major club silverware since his blockbuster transfer nearly three years ago. His latest moment of brilliance proves that even at 40, the Portuguese maestro remains capable of producing footballing magic that captivates audiences worldwide.
