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Evergreen Cristiano Ronaldo delivers ‘best response to critics’ as Al-Nassr boss sees Portuguese GOAT move two goals closer to ambitious 1,000 target

AFC Champions League Elite

Yokohama F.Marinos

Al Nassr FC

<p>At 40 years of age, plenty of questions have been asked of how much longer CR7 can continue. He does, however, <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/will-anybody-tell-stat-padding-goat-cristiano-ronaldo-i-m-not-taking-him-evergreen-al-nassr-superstar-tipped-to-set-his-own-end-date-with-portugal/bltd15334e56ee7637d " target="_blank">remain a talismanic presence for Portugal</a> - helping them to the UEFA Nations League semi-finals - and a prolific marksman for Al-Nassr.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>In his latest Saudi Pro League performance, Ronaldo <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/video-cristiano-ronaldo-thunderous-volley-puskas-consideration-al-nassr-win-al-riyadh/blte8c613a86fab904f " target="_blank">bagged a brace to claim derby bragging rights against Al-Riyadh</a>. The all-time great turned that tie on its head as he netted twice in the second half and wrapped up a 2-1 win.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>Ronaldo enjoys legend status at Al-Nassr, with head coach <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/why-legend-cristiano-ronaldo-special-treatment-al-nassr-stefano-pioli-cr7-ac-milan-zlatan-ibrahimovic/bltfcfa2f75ad37f108 " target="_blank">Stefano Pioli among those happy to continue singing his praises</a>. The Italian said after witnessing another match-winning performance: “Cristiano Ronaldo helped us build this team as the leader of the group. I can't speak about his performance on the pitch, what you saw today was his best response to the critics.”</p>

WHAT STEFANO PIOLI SAID

<p>Ronaldo, who <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/records-follow-me-cristiano-ronaldo-reacts-more-history-al-nassr-superstar-50-goals-season/blt6adf896e2fd67e6e " target="_blank">hit 50 goals at club level through all competitions last season</a>, has moved on to 32 in just 35 appearances this term. He remains <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/cristiano-ronaldo-final-career-goals-man-utd-coach-cr7-objectives-lebron-james-target-involving-portuguese-goat-son/blt9b4b88b27269a562 " target="_blank">determined to reach 1,000 in total before any thought is given to retirement</a>.</p>

WHAT NEXT FOR CRISTIANO RONALDO?

Evergreen Cristiano Ronaldo delivers ‘best response to critics’ as Al-Nassr boss sees Portuguese GOAT move two goals closer to ambitious 1,000 target | Goal.com

Evergreen Cristiano Ronaldo is considered to have delivered the “best response to the critics” when moving two goals closer to his 1,000 target.

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