Cristiano Ronaldo hailed as 'best player in world' after stunning double for Al Nassr

Portugal captain scores twice and creates another in thrilling 4-3 Asian Champions League win against Al Duhail in Riyadh

Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoring for Al Nassr during the Asian Champions League Group E football match against Al Duhail at the King Saud University Stadium in Riyadh on October 24, 2023. AFP

Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates with teammate Abdullah Al Khaibari after scoring for Al Nassr against Al Duhail. AFP

Cristiano Ronaldo on the ball under pressure from Duhail midfielder Assim Madibo. AFP

Cristiano Ronaldo gets set to shoot during Al Nassr's match against Al Duhail. AFP

Al Nassr forward Talisca celebrates with Cristiano Ronaldo after scoring the opening goal against Al Duhail. AFP

Otavio and Cristiano Ronaldo during the Asian Champions League match between Al Nassr and Al Duhail. AFP

Duhail forward Michael Olunga celebrates after scoring a goal during the Asian Champions League match against Al Nassr. AFP

Sadio Mane celebrates with Abdulmajeed Al Sulayhem after scoring Al Nassr's second goal. AFP

Duhail defender Yousef Aymen attempts to block a cross from Al Nassr forward Sadio Mane. AFP

Al Nassr forward Talisca celebrates after scoring the opening goal against Al Duhail. AFP

Talisca with Cristiano Ronaldo after scoring Al Nassr's first goal against Al Duhail. AFP

Al Nassr midfielder Otavio in action against Al Duhail defenders Ruben Semedo and Sultan Al Brake. AFP

Al Nassro forward Sadio Mane takes on Al Duhail defender Yousef Aymen. AFP

Al Nassr forward Talisca takes on Al Duhail defender Yousef Aymen. AFP

Cristiano Ronaldo attributed his spectacular Asian Champions League man-of-the-match display to both hard work and the help of his Al Nassr teammates, while rival manager Christophe Galtier labelled the forward “still the best player in the world”.

The Nassr captain, 38, continued his incredible form on Tuesday night, scoring two sumptuous goals and registering an assist in his team’s 4-3 victory against Qatar's Al Duhail in Riyadh.

Ronaldo set up the opening goal at Al Awwal Park with a brilliant back-heel to Brazilian Anderson Talisca, while he grabbed Nassr’s third with superb long-range effort just after the hour.

The former Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus star got his second on the night nine minutes from time, meeting Sultan Al Ghannam’s cross with a fine left-footed volley to restore Nassr’s two-goal lead.

The eventual 4-3 victory made it three wins from three for Nassr – the Saudi Arabian side were also celebrating their 68th anniversary – moving them three points clear at the top of Group E.

For Ronaldo, the double took his 2023/24 tally for Nassr to 20 goals in 19 matches.

Speaking after the Duhail victory, the Portugal captain said: “It was a wonderful, complicated and difficult match. After we scored the second goal [to go 2-0 up], we thought the match would be easy.”

On his fantastic form, Ronaldo said: “Nothing comes without sacrifices. I am happy to score goals and break records, and this comes with the help of my teammates. I congratulate the fans on the victory.

“I enjoy my time with Al Nassr, and we are working to be the strongest and best team.”

Galtier, recently appointed at Duhail after spending last season in charge of French giants Paris Saint-Germain, was full of praise for the five-time Ballon d’Or winner.

"When you face Ronaldo, there isn't much you can do," the Frenchman said. "He scored two beautiful goals. I'm at a loss for words to describe him.

“What he did today is extraordinary for a 38-year-old. He's still the best player in the world."

Like Nassr, UAE side Al Ain maintained their 100 per cent record, securing a 4-1 win against Saudi Pro League club Al Fayha in the Garden City on Tuesday.

Paraguay’s Kaku scored twice at the Hazza bin Zayed Stadium, with Kouame Autonne and Soufiane Rahimi netting the others for the hosts. The UAE’s only Asian champions, Al Ain sit top of Group A at the midway stage, six points clear of the other three teams in the pool.

The 10 group winners advance to the knockout stages, with the three best runners-up from the east and west of the continent making up the remainder of the last 16.