Ronaldo Closes In on Perfect Saudi Scoring Record as Al-Batin Remain His Only Exception

By Dorcas Francis Koji

Cristiano Ronaldo has continued to rewrite the record books in Saudi Arabia, but one club remains a rare exception to the Portuguese superstar’s remarkable scoring dominance.

The Al-Nassr forward has scored against 23 of the 24 teams he has faced in the Saudi Pro League, with Al-Batin the only side yet to concede a league goal to the five-time Ballon d’Or winner.

Ronaldo has been prolific since arriving in Saudi Arabia in January 2023, overcoming a difficult final spell at Manchester United and a disappointing 2022 FIFA World Cup with Portugal to establish himself as one of the league’s most feared attackers.

The 41-year-old has scored 102 goals in 107 Saudi Pro League appearances, while his overall record for Al-Nassr stands at 123 goals in 142 matches across all competitions. He has also claimed two Saudi Pro League Golden Boots.

Among his most regular victims are Al-Wehda, against whom Ronaldo has scored 10 goals in five league meetings. He has also found the net nine times against both Al-Fateh and Damac, while Al-Okhdood have conceded seven goals to him.

Ronaldo has also enjoyed success against some of Saudi Arabia’s biggest clubs. He has scored six goals in six league matches against Al-Ittihad, four in six against Al-Ahli and three in seven meetings with Al-Hilal.

Al-Batin, however, remain the outlier.

Ronaldo faced the club during his first season in Saudi Arabia but failed to score in Al-Nassr’s 3-1 victory. It was only his sixth Saudi Pro League appearance after his move to the country.

Al-Batin were relegated at the end of that campaign and have not returned to the Saudi top flight since, meaning Ronaldo has not had another opportunity to break their resistance.

Their achievement is particularly notable given the club’s relatively small home ground, which has a capacity of around 6,000 spectators.

Al-Batin now belong to a select group of clubs around the world that have prevented Ronaldo from scoring in a league meeting. Others include Leganes, Benevento, Chievo, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Leicester City, Sheffield United, Leeds United and Crystal Palace.

Ronaldo is preparing for another Saudi Pro League campaign with Al-Nassr, now under the management of Ange Postecoglou following the departure of Jorge Jesus.

Al-Nassr will be aiming to defend their league title, while Ronaldo continues his pursuit of the extraordinary milestone of 1,000 career goals.

Newly promoted Al-Faisaly and Al-Diriyah will also have the opportunity to face the Portuguese forward during the 2026/27 season.

For Ronaldo, those encounters could provide fresh opportunities to extend his extraordinary scoring record and move closer to becoming the first player to score against every Saudi Pro League opponent he has faced.