Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice as Al-Nassr thrashed Al-Adalah 5-0 to keep within league leaders Al-Ittihad.
Ronaldo, who was returning from international duty with Portugal where he became the most capped player for a national team of all time, slotted in a penalty late in the first half to give his side a deserved lead.
Brazilian Talisca doubled Al-Nassr’s lead in the 55th minute, before Ronaldo had a moment of brilliance.
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The 38-year-old’s second goal sparked wild scenes as he darted past his man and fired in the ball from the left-hand side of the box with his weak foot for his 11th goal of the season.
Talisca then netted again, before Ayman Yahya netted a fifth for Al-Nassr, who remain one point behind Al Ittihad.
The league leaders beat Damac 3-0, leaving the title race finely poised with eight games remaining.
Al-Nassr travel to Al-Feiha on Sunday with Al-Ittihad playing Al-Wehda.
Messi weighs up his options
Lionel Messi’s contract at Paris Saint-Germain is set to expire this summer and he has four options to assess when making a decision on his future.
The World Cup winner can continue negotiations with his current club, attempt an ambitious return to Barcelona or explore a new opportunity.
Messi has been a long-term target of MLS club Inter Miami, but has also just received an eye-watering contract offer from Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal, worth €400m per year.
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Spanish media outlet Sport report”There was an agreement in principle for the renewal of the Argentine star with his current club, but PSG have not guaranteed Leo Messi a winning sporting project and negotiations have cooled down.
“The option of MLS has always been there. [Inter] Miami has long been keen to bring the greatest footballer of all time to its franchise.
“The most recent of the options available to Leo Messi and also the most powerful financially, as the 400 million euros that Al-Hilal want to put on the table would make him the highest paid footballer in the world. But, on the other hand, it would also be the one that least appeals to the No 10 at the moment.
“In recent days, Leo Messi has become more and more linked with [Barcelona]. Sponsors are being sought to make the operation viable.”
