Sadio Mane and Cristiano Ronaldo, the fresh attacking partnership for Al-Nassr, have seamlessly blended into the squad, consistently delivering outstanding performances in the early stages of the new season.
In their latest outing, the duo once again demonstrated their scoring prowess, contributing to Al-Nassr’s 3-1 victory over Al-Raed in the Saudi Pro League. Impressively, this marks the fourth consecutive match in which both Mane and Ronaldo have found the net, establishing themselves as a formidable tandem at the outset of the season.
Sadio Mane carrying him again
— LUKESOUL (@iam_lukesoul) September 17, 2023
Nevertheless, the online discourse among fans has generated diverse opinions. Some fans contend that Sadio Mane is the driving force behind Al-Nassr’s attacking prowess, with comments such as “Sadio Mane carrying him again” and “Mane carrying Ronaldo at his age” gaining prominence, providing an intriguing perspective.
Upon eye-test, it does appear that Sadio Mane has taken a prominent role in energizing Al-Nassr’s offensive efforts, often involved in the buildup of goal-scoring opportunities for the 38-year-old Ronaldo to capitalize on.
However, it’s worth noting that another faction of fans holds the opposite viewpoint, arguing that the duo has exhibited equal brilliance for the Saudi side.
Despite the current form, the initial setbacks of two losses at the start of the season have left Al-Nassr in the 6th position on the table, trailing the current leaders, Neymar’s Al-Hilal, by four points.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Sadio Mane have scored 13 out of 18 goals scored by Al-Nassr in the league
When we delve into the statistics, it becomes evident that both Cristiano Ronaldo and Sadio Mane have proven to be formidable assets for the Saudi side in their attacking endeavors.
Sadio Mane has showcased his scoring prowess with an impressive six goals in as many matches in the league. Simultaneously, Cristiano Ronaldo is equally impactful, boasting seven goals in five appearances.
What sets Ronaldo apart further is his involvement in assisting four goals, securing him a position at the summit of both the goal-scoring and assists charts in the Saudi Pro League.
Cristiano Ronaldo, Sadia Mane and Anderson Talisca are firing on all cylinders for Al-Nassr 💥 pic.twitter.com/wqSgBmhrCG
— GOAL (@goal) September 17, 2023
Together, as a dynamic duo, Sadio Mane and Cristiano Ronaldo have made an indelible impact, collectively netting a total of 13 goals in the league. In stark contrast, the rest of Al-Nassr’s squad has managed to contribute only five goals.
Mane’s acquisition by Al-Nassr this summer has proven to be a significant move from Bayern Munich. To maintain their title ambitions and challenge the likes of Al-Hilal and Al-Ittihad, who boast Neymar Jr. and Karim Benzema, respectively, Al-Nassr will heavily rely on the continued brilliance of this formidable pairing.
Next on their agenda, Al-Nassr is set to travel to Iran for an encounter with Persepolis in the first group-stage match of the AFC Champions League scheduled for September 18.