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'Business-like' Ronaldo leads Al Nassr to huge win at Al Ittihad

Cristiano Ronaldo ushered Al Nassr to arguably the most notable win of the emergent Roshn Saudi League season, but in the words of a friend and former teammate, the Portuguese superstar wasn’t overdoing the celebrations.

“It was business-like”, said Rio Ferdinand, a colleague of Ronaldo's through that sustained success at Manchester United and now a colour commentator for league broadcaster Thmanyah Sports.

Ferdinand was debuting on the platform and, to be fair, had chosen the perfect introduction.

Al Nassr met Al Ittihad in Jeddah on Friday night in a top-of-the-table clash that pitted against one another not only true title rivals, but the only two teams with 100 percent records through three matchweeks of the 2025-26 RSL.

Champions Al Ittihad, in second, hosted their transformed opponents at a teeming and trembling Alinma Stadium, where on the pitch below each side boasted a Ballon d’Or as captain. As far as adverts for the rapidly progressing RSL go, you couldn't have wished for more.

In the end, Ronaldo, the five-time incumbent of football’s preeminent individual award and holder of the past two RSL golden boots, emerged triumphant over Karim Benzema, another former teammate from another of football's dynasty clubs.

Al Nassr triumphed 2-0 in Jeddah, their championship credentials underscored. A statement victory, it arrived courtesy of goals from Sadio Mane and Ronaldo, both in the first half, both showcasing the Riyadh club’s recast and refined attack.

On nine minutes, Joao Felix escaped his Al Ittihad markers to allow Kingsley Coman to evade his own on the right, the summer signings combining for the latter to locate an unmarked Mane at the hosts' back post.

Watching the cross intently, the Senegal international sent a left-footed volley crashing past Predrag Rajkovic in the home goal.

Ten minutes before the break, Al Nassr had a second. This time, Mane turned creator, picking up Ronaldo’s expert dash inside the Al Ittihad penalty area for his club captain to meet emphatically and head inside the far post.

It marked Ronaldo’s fourth goal in as many RSL appearances this season, and the 946th of his overall career. That 1,000 mark hovers still on the horizon.

From there, and to borrow from Ferdinand, Al Nassr were business-like. They closed out the encounter in professional manner, Jorge Jesus' new side looking already as if they could be the team to beat.

A fourth consecutive RSL win was the most significant of the lot, the 2018-19 champions heading into the international break in pole position for a first championship crown in seven years. Although, it must be emphasised, it remains so early in the campaign.

Presumably that's why Ronaldo, who has seen and done it all, wasn't getting caught up in the commotion.

“I said to him, ‘You look like you could win the league this year’,” Ferdinand offered having shared a post-match embrace with his ex-United colleague. “But he said, ‘Hey, one game at a time.’”

That said, this night belonged to Al Nassr - and the promise of what is to come.