Portugal star Cristiano Ronaldo was involved in a controversial goal during Al-Nassr’s 3-1 win over Al-Faisaly in the Saudi Pro League on Friday. In the 49th minute Joao Felix swung in a free-kick and
Cristiano Ronaldo rose and headed it, the ball then appeared to touch or deflect off Al-Faisaly defender Andrei Girotto before going in. The Portugal star immediately ran away and did his trademark Siu celebration, treating it as his goal. The Saudi league website and the referee’s official report both credited the goal to him, making it career goal number 982 and leaving him 18 short of 1,000.
THIS IS A JOKE 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂.
Ronaldo’s goal is actually an own goal!! He didn’t even touch it!!! The shameless clown did the siiiu when he knows it wasn’t his goal 😭😭😭.
The problem is that Saudi actually gave it to him!!! Peak corruption!!
https://t.co/Rf5NsHVYRU
— Patrick Williams (@EFCxGoat) October 23, 2026
However on replays, it looked to be an own goal from the opponent. Multiple stats platforms recorded it as an own goal by Girotto. Social media quickly filled with clips and arguments while some said Ronaldo got a clear touch and changed the direction of the ball first, others maintained the crucial last contact was the defender’s. The league stuck with the referee’s decision, so the goal officially goes to Ronaldo but there has been a huge buzz on social media over this topic.
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Cristiano Ronaldo inches closer to 1,000 goals as Al-Nassr claim 3-1 victory over Al-Faisaly
Al-Nassr started the match brilliantly as just four minutes into the match, Abdullah Al-Hamdan finished a move involving Sadio Mane to put them 1-0 up. They controlled the first half and went into the break leading by a goal and had dominated the possession. Right after the restart the controversial moment happened with Felix’s free-kick, Ronaldo’s header with the deflection, and the score became 2-0.
Al-Faisaly refused to get bogged down as in the 66th minute Theo Bongonda scored a goal back to make it 2-1 and give the home side hope. Al-Nassr stayed solid and late on substitute Angelo Gabriel sealed the result, curling in a fine goal after another Al-Hamdan involvement. Al-Nassr completed a 3-1 win and Ronaldo’s contribution also played a crucial part despite it becoming a controversy. The Portuguese star has been in sublime form and with this goal he inches closer to the magical 1000 goal mark.
