Cristiano Ronaldo scores first half hat-trick for Al Nassr as fans hail ‘best player ever’

On Feb 25, 2023

Cristiano Ronaldo scored a stunning first half hat-trick for Al-Nassr and fans were quick to hail him the “best player ever”.

The former Manchester United star, 38, netted a penalty to open the scoring against Damac in Saturday’s Saudi Pro League clash. He followed it up five minutes later with a clinical strike from the edge of the box, before grabbing his third on the stroke of half time.

Five-time Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldo celebrated his strikes in trademark fashion as the packed out stadium roared ‘Siu’. And the Portuguese legend’s many supporters instantly took to Twitter to fawn over his greatness.

One Twitter user wrote: “The best player to ever grace football,” while another tweeted: “The greatest there is. The greatest there was.”

A third wrote: “38 year old Cristiano Ronaldo doing what 30 year olds couldn’t do.” A fourth commented: “The truth with Ronaldo is that if he plays he scores”, while a fifth added: “The Goat of goats.”

Ronaldo went on to score a fourth in the second half which was ruled out for offside.

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The Portugal legend scored the second hat-trick of his Al-Nassr career
(Image: @PubitySportIG/Twitter)

It marked the second hat-trick of Ronaldo’s fledgling Al-Nassr career, having made his debut for the side in late January. The ex-Real Madrid and Manchester United star now has eight goals and two assists in just four games in the middle-east.

Many questioned whether the ageing Ronaldo was still operating at an elite level after his mixed performances this season. He notched just three goals for United earlier in the season, having fallen out of favour with new manager Erik ten Hag and caused a stir by leaving matches early.

Having had his contract terminated after a fiery interview with Piers Morgan, Ronaldo followed up with some dismal performances at the World Cup in Qatar. He notched just one goal, a penalty, before being left out of Portugal’s knockout round starting line-ups and feuding with his manager.