'Cristiano's an alien' - Ronaldo gets knockout review after hat-trick homes in on 1,000 goals

news

Al Nassr superstar dazzles in 15-minute spell in 8-goal thriller against Al Kholood, leaving boxing legend Oleksandr Usyk in awe

It was a recommendation from one GOAT to another.

Boxing legend Oleksandr Usyk was among the spectators as Cristiano Ronaldo produced another masterclass on Thursday night, scoring a sensational 15-minute hat-trick to inspire Al Nassr to a thrilling 5-3 victory against Al Kholood.

And the undefeated world heavyweight champion, who knows a thing or two about sporting greatness, was suitably impressed, telling the Saudi Pro League that he considers Ronaldo "an alien".

Cristiano Ronaldo scores one of his three goals in Al Nassr's win against Al Kholood

Usyk was right to offer a knockout review. With the match finely poised at 2-2, Ronaldo took centre stage, striking three times between the 66th and 81st minute to secure a crucial victory for the Roshn Saudi League champions.

The treble took the Al Nassr captain to 985 career goals, leaving him just 15 short of that remarkable 1,000-goal milestone.

And Ronaldo, understandably, was delighted with the night's work.

"Great win, great team performance. Happy to help with a hat-trick!" the five-time Ballon d'Or winner posted on social media.

View this post on Instagram

Yet for much of the contest, Al Kholood threatened to spoil the occasion.

Des Buckingham's visitors arrived determined to end a four-match winless run and stunned their hosts when Julien Domingues opened the scoring in the 16th minute.

Al Nassr responded through Angelo eight minutes later, before Sadio Mane put the home side ahead not long before half-time.

Joao Felix provided the assists for both goals, but Al Kholood refused to go away, Loic Essomba restoring parity in first-half injury-time.

Then came the Ronaldo show.

Hat-trick hero Cristiano Ronaldo picks up another Man of Match award in Al Nassr's win against Al Kholood

Having already endured the frustration of seeing first-half efforts ruled out, the Portuguese superstar finally got his reward not long after the hour, timing his run perfectly to convert Felix's cut-back.

Six minutes later, the same combination struck again. Felix delivered an inviting cross from the right and Ronaldo rose to power a header into the net.

Just as impressive as Ronaldo’s eventual haul, Felix departed with four assists, the reigning SPL Player of the Season becoming only the second player to do so.

However, there was still time for Ronaldo to wrap up the win - and a fourth match-ball his season.

Julien Domingues struck twice for Al Kholood at Al Nassr but it wasn't enough

With nine minutes remaining, Mane showed excellent awareness to pick out his No.7 inside the area, leaving Ronaldo to finish clinically and complete his hat-trick.

Domingues did convert a stoppage-time penalty to register his second of the evening, but the damage had long been done.

The victory moved Al Nassr to 28 points from 11 matches, one behind leaders Al Qadsiah, who maintained their position at the summit with a commanding 6-0 victory against Al Riyadh.

Dancing with delight: the hat-trick against Al Kholood moves Cristiano Ronaldo to 985 career goals

Tijjani Reijnders grabbed a hat-trick of his own in that encounter, while Julian Quinones was also on target for Brendan Rodgers' high-flying side.

Yet, in the capital, it was all about one man. Another hat-trick, another match-winning performance and another step towards 1,000 goals.

For Usyk, watching from the stands at Al Awwal Park, the verdict was simple: Ronaldo is not quite human.