He’s done it again! Cristiano Ronaldo, the prolific Portuguese striker, continues his goal-scoring rampage. The Portuguese star reached the remarkable feat of 50 goals for the year, scoring in Al-Nassr’s 5-2 victory against Al-Shabab in the Saudi King Cup quarter-finals. Amidst the celebrations, a potential suspension loomed over Ronaldo’s head due to accumulated bookings. But thanks to a strategic decision by the Al-Nassr boss, the soccer legend brushed away from a potential ban, keeping his quest for King Cup glory alive.
As Al-Nassr books its place in the semi-final of the Saudi King Cup, fans will be pleased to know that they’ll have Cristiano Ronaldo at the helm at the crucial stage of the tournament. Let’s uncover the latest development at Al-Nassr.
Al-Nassr boss’ quick thinking saves Cristiano Ronaldo from suspension
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Al-Nassr’s Cristiano Ronaldo was walking on the edge of a suspension due to accumulated yellow cards. This meant that one more booking would have seen him miss his team’s crucial King Cup semi-final clash. Recognizing the potential threat, Al-Nassr boss Luis Castro made a crucial decision. After CR7 scored Al-Nassr’s fourth goal in the 74th minute, Castro promptly substituted him off.
🚨🚨|| عاجل – @a_altamimi11 :
بعد تأهل #النصر الى نصف النهائي ، ستسقط البطاقات من جميع اللاعبين بذلك لا يوجد ولا لاعب مهدد بالايقاف عن النهائي ✅ pic.twitter.com/vryVZ1HfXx
— كورة | #النصر 🦁 (@9NFCBALL) December 11, 2023
This strategic substitution proved to be a masterstroke. It ensured that the Portuguese star avoided any further bookings, saving him from a potential suspension. Castro’s move kept Cristiano Ronaldo available for the highly anticipated semi-final clash. As Ronaldo went off the pitch, fans and the coach himself were relieved, as they were understandably worried about their star player’s potential absence.
Castro’s savvy move proved crucial. According to the rules, all yellow cards and bookings are erased for players who reach the semi-finals of the King Cup, meaning Cristiano Ronaldo is free to play in the next stage. The club will be focused on sealing the final spot, as they lost to fellow side Al-Wehda in the semi-finals last year.
READ MORE: Erling Haaland’s Injury Brings Good News For Cristiano Ronaldo After 8 Years
Ronaldo’s enduring brilliance on the pitch
Beyond the suspense of the ban, Cristiano Ronaldo’s achievement of scoring 50 goals in 2023 is nothing short of extraordinary. Of these 50 goals, 40 have come while playing for Al-Nassr and the remaining 10 for Portugal. This showcases Ronaldo’s prowess and his development as a key threat in Al-Nassr’s ranks. This monumental milestone comes just three days after Ronaldo played his 1200th professional match, solidifying his legendary status in the soccer world.
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Having fallen short last year, the team will be determined to reach the final and challenge for the King Cup trophy. With Cristiano Ronaldo in their ranks and his goal-scoring form continuing, Al-Nassr has the firepower and talent to make a serious run for silverware this time around. It’ll be interesting to see who comes out on top in this Saudi extravaganza. Let us know your King Cup predictions in the comments below.
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