Ronaldo notches his second hat trick of the season in Saudi Pro League

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — Cristiano Ronaldo's second-half hat trick helped Al-Nassr beat visiting Al-Tai 5-1 in the Saudi Pro League on Saturday.

The five-time Ballon d'Or winner has a league-leading 26 goals for the Riyadh club he signed for in December 2022.

Al-Nassr, a nine-time champion, was 2-1 ahead at the break. Ronaldo had been almost anonymous but scored his first after 64 minutes, turning in the right side of the area to fire home a low shot after a pull-back from Senegalese star Sadio Mane.

Three minutes later, Ronaldo added his second and Al-Nassr’s fourth. Al-Tai failed to clear and the former Real Madrid and Manchester United player was on hand to score from close range.

Abdulmajeed Al-Sulayhim was the provider for the third goal, crossing to the 39-year-old Ronaldo to head home at the far post for his second hat trick of the season.

With nine assists, Ronaldo has the second highest offensive contributions in league history, behind only Abderrazak Hamdallah, who recorded a total of 43 in the 2018-19 season, also for Al-Nassr.

Despite Ronaldo's exploits, Al-Nassr remained second in the league, 12 points behind Riyadh rival Al-Hilal with nine rounds remaining.

Al-Hilal came from behind to defeat Al-Shabab 4-3. After Musab Al-Juwayr gave Al-Shabab a third-minute lead, Mitrovic scored twice to put Al-Hilal ahead before the break.

Former Lazio star Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and Asian player of the year Salem Al-Dawsari also scored as Al-Hilal won an 18th consecutive league game to stay on course for a record 19th league title.

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