“This is who we are” - Cristiano Ronaldo sends emphatic message after beating Karim Benzema-led Al-Ittihad to open up 3-point lead in title race

Al-Nassr captain Cristiano Ronaldo sent a warning to rivals that they mean business after winning 2-0 at Karim Benzema's Al-Ittihad in the Saudi Pro League on Friday (September 26).

Sadio Mane broke the deadlock inside nine minutes at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah. The defending champions were rocked again when Ronaldo put the visitors two goals to the good nine minutes before hal-time.

A goalless second half ensued, but it was enough to send the Knights of Najd three points clear at the top, with four wins out of four, ending Al-Ittihad's perfect start to the campaign.

Following Ronaldo's 946th goal for club and country, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner posted on Instagram:

"This is Al Nassr! This is who we are! 🔥"

Playing his third season (second full campaign) with Al-Nassr, Ronaldo is yet to win the top-flight title, finishing second to Al-Ittihad (2022-23) and Al-Hilal (2023-24) before his team finished behind Al-Ittihad and Al-Hilal last season.

The Knights of Najd are chasing their first league title since 2019, when Ronaldo was with Juventus. It was their 10th Saudi Pro League title, with only Al-Hilal (21) and Al-Ittihad (14) winning more.

How has Cristiano Ronaldo fared this season?

Cristiano Ronaldo has had a good start to his third full season in Saudi Arabian football, having arrived at Al-Nassr in December 2022 on a free transfer. He has netted five times and provided an assist in six games across competitions.

Four of those goals have come in as many outings in the Saudi Pro League. Ronaldo scored in the 5-0 win at Al-Taawoun before drawing a blank in the 2-0 home defeat of Al-Kholood.

The 40-year-old returned to scoring ways with a brace in a 5-1 home win over Al-Riyadh before finding the back of the net in the Friday win at defending champions Al-Ittihad. He's just a goal behind this season's leading scorer and his teammate Joao Felix (five).

Ronaldo's other goal this season and the assist have come in two outings in the Saudi Super Cup, where Jorge Jesus' side lost on penalties to Al-Ahli in the final last month.

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Bhargav is a veteran sports journalist and editor at Sportskeeda, with a rich professional experience of 17 years, working for the likes of Siemens and Bombay Dyeing. An avid football and tennis follower for over three decades, Bhargav uses his vast knowledge and experience, attention to detail, an unbiased yet interesting writing style, and thorough research to craft insightful articles, which have raked in over 20 million reads so far.

Bhargav supports Italy at national level, a team steeped in tradition and history according to him. He still harbors the heartbreak from the Azzurri’s 1994 FIFA World Cup final defeat against Brazil, and protagonist-turned-antagonist from the game, ‘Divine Ponytail’ Roberto Baggio is his all-time favorite player. His favorite manager is Marcelo Lippi, who ended Italy’s 24-year wait for the World Cup trophy, winning it in 2006.

Outside Europe’s top five leagues, he follows the MLS following Lionel Messi’s move in 2023 but favors Cristiano Ronaldo in the G.O.A.T. debate. During his free time, Bhargav enjoys driving off to new places and singing.

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