SUMMARY
- Al-Nassr scored 5-2 in the Saudi Pro League against Al-Ittihad on December 26.
- Cristiano Ronaldo is the top scorer of 2023 after scoring twice to bring his total to 53 goals.
As Al-Nassr’s Cristiano Ronaldo and Sadio Mane scored braces in an overwhelming 5-2 Saudi Pro League victory at Al-Ittihad on December 26, the crowd went wild. Not only that, a wholesome moment between Ronaldo and his attacking partner Sadio Mane was witnessed by soccer fans worldwide.
Mane continued to score as the Knights of Najd crushed Al-Ittihad 5-2, scoring a brace. Cristiano Ronaldo is the top scorer of 2023 after scoring twice to bring his total to 53 goals. On the other hand, Senegalese forward Sadio Mane declined to accept a penalty kick during the Saudi Pro League match on December 26 between Al-Nassr and Al-Ittihad.
Cristiano Ronaldo almost turned down the opportunity to become the lone top scorer of 2023 because of his selflessness.
But, Cristiano Ronaldo became the lone top scorer of 2023 because of Mane’s selflessness.
This duo is cooking. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/9iQNLTVOsm
— Madridsmo (@realbarcaL) December 27, 2023
But before Sadio Mane scored his second goal of the evening, Cristiano Ronaldo, who was on 52 goals this 2023, gave Mane a penalty kick opportunity, which the former Liverpool player turned down. “Cristiano asked me to take the penalty kick, but I refused because the time of the match was crucial, so I gave it to Cristiano,” he said in a post-match interview.
Mane scored his eleventh goal for the team in the win over Al-Ittihald, demonstrating his excellent form for the Saudi giants. Transfermarkt claims that the Senegalese have also contributed six assists this season. Senegal will get the player from Al-Nassr for the Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast next month. The champions will start their title defense in Group C.
Sadio Mane shares a great bond with Cristiano Ronaldo
On August 3, Sadio Mane congratulated Cristiano Ronaldo on his game-winning goal, which was crucial in Al-Nassr’s advancement to the Arab Club Champions Cup knockout stages. The former Liverpool player made his Saudi Arabian club debut after a high-profile $34 million deal with Bayern Munich.
In the Arab Club Champions Cup final group stage match, Al-Nassr faced Egyptian club Zamalek and was on the verge of elimination when Zizo scored a penalty, giving Zamalek the edge. But with just three minutes left, Ronaldo seized over and saved the day, tying the match in the 87th to secure an important draw.
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Following the match, Mane praised Ronaldo for his game-winning goal, which was essential to Al-Nassr’s qualification. The Senegalese sent Ronaldo his sincere greetings via an Instagram post: “A new page is ouvre!!! Congrats for your goal Big Man @cristiano !!! On to the next round💪🏾thank @alnassr fans the support was amazing,” Mane posted on his official Instagram account.
After Cristiano Ronaldo joined Al-Nassr in January, he set off a domino effect that has seen several other elite players join him, including the current Ballon d’Or winner, Karim Benzema. It remains to be seen whether more soccer stars will join the Saudi Pro League soon.