Cristiano Ronaldo: Record-Breaking Al-Nassr
Heroics Overshadowed by Arson Attack on Madeira Statue
The Portuguese legend continues his relentlesspursuit of 1,000 career goals in the Saudi Pro League, even as a shocking act
of vandalism targets his iconic monument in his hometown of Funchal.
In the world of
football, few narratives are as polarizing or as dramatic as that of Cristiano
Ronaldo. Currently, the 39-year-old icon is experiencing a bizarre duality of
fortune: while he cements his status as the greatest foreign player in the
history of Al-Nassr, his physical legacy in his birthplace, Madeira, has come
under literal fire.
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| Cristiano Ronaldo: Record-Breaking Al-Nassr Heroics Overshadowed by Arson Attack on Madeira Statue |
Cristiano Ronaldo: Record-Breaking Al-Nassr Heroics Overshadowed by Arson Attack on Madeira Statue
The Pursuit of Perfection: Ronaldo’s
Record-Breaking Run in Riyadh
On Wednesday,
Cristiano Ronaldo once again proved that age is merely a statistic. During
Al-Nassr’s 2-1 victory over Damac in the 17th round of the Saudi Pro League
(SPL), Ronaldo found the back of the net with his signature clinical precision.
This strike marked his 16th goal in 16 appearances this season, comfortably placing him at the
summit of the league's top scorers list, two goals ahead of Al-Ahli’s Ivan Toney.
As he prepares to
celebrate his 41st birthday this coming February, Ronaldo’s numbers remain
elite. Since joining the Riyadh-based "Al-Alami" in December 2022, he
has transformed the club’s offensive output. With his latest goal, he
officially became the highest-scoring foreign player in Al-Nassr’s
history,
surpassing the previous record of 115 goals held by Moroccan striker Abderrazak
Hamdallah.
Ronaldo’s current
tally for Al-Nassr stands at 116 goals in 131 matches across all competitions. In the domestic league
alone, he has maintained a staggering ratio, netting 90 goals in just 93
appearances.
The Road to 1,000: A
Statistical Breakdown
The footballing
world is currently on "1,000 Goal Watch." Ronaldo has reached a
career total of 960 official goals in 1,306 professional matches. To understand the
magnitude of this feat, one must look at the diverse stages upon which he has
performed:
·
Real Madrid: 450 goals (The club's all-time leading scorer).
·
Manchester United: 145 goals across two spells.
·
Portugal National Team: 143 goals (The highest in international men's
football).
·
Al-Nassr: 116 goals and counting.
·
Juventus: 101 goals.
·
Sporting CP: 5 goals.
Athis current scoring rate, sports analysts predict that Ronaldo could
realistically hit the 1,000-goal milestone by late 2025 or early 2026, assuming
he maintains his fitness and extends his contract with the Saudi giants.
Shock in Madeira:
The Arson Attack on the CR7 Statue
While Ronaldo was
celebrating on the pitch in Saudi Arabia, a disturbing scene was unfolding in
Funchal, Madeira. A man, who identified himself on social media as a
"freestyler and local," filmed himself dousing the bronze statue of
Ronaldo with flammable liquid and setting it ablaze.
The statue, located
near the CR7 Museum, is a landmark for thousands of tourists who
visit the island annually to pay homage to the local hero. The perpetrator
posted the video to his Instagram account, accompanied by a cryptic and ominous
message: "This is the last warning from God."
In the footage, the
individual is seen dancing to loud rap music as flames engulfed the bronze
figure. Fortunately, the fire appeared to self-extinguish before causing
catastrophic structural damage, though the surface of the monument suffered
charring.
A History of
Vandalism
This is not the
first time the Madeira monument has been targeted. In March 2016, vandals
painted the name "Messi" and the number "10" on the
statue's back shortly after the Argentine won his fifth Ballon d'Or. At the
time, Ronaldo’s sister, Katia Aveiro, lashed out at the perpetrators, labeling
them "ungrateful savages" who failed to respect the man who put
Madeira on the global map.
The Portuguese
Public Security Police (PSP) in Funchal have confirmed that the suspect in the
recent arson attack has been identified. According to official sources, the
individual is "known to the authorities" for similar erratic behavior
in the past.
The Resilience of a
Legacy
The contrast between
the flames in Madeira and the fireworks in Riyadh encapsulates the
"Ronaldo Effect." Despite being one of the most scrutinized athletes
in history, Ronaldo continues to let his performances speak for themselves.
The Al-Nassr captain
has integrated seamlessly into the Saudi project, not just as a player, but as
a cultural ambassador. While he currently sits second in the club's overall
season scoring (behind João Félix), his influence on the pitch remains the
primary engine for Al-Nassr’s title ambitions.
As the police
investigation in Portugal continues, the local government in Madeira is
expected to restore the statue to its original glory. For the fans, the message
is clear: whether through bronze or through goals, the legacy of Cristiano
Ronaldo remains indestructible.
