鈥楥ristiano Ronaldo is the best player in the world, but that goal was just normal for him鈥�: Al-Nassr coach Luis Castro

Five-time Ballon d鈥橭r winner Ronaldo was the inspiration behind Al Nassr鈥檚 2-0 win on Saturday night at Al-Awwal Park in the Roshn Saudi League Matchday 12 fixture. (File/AFP)
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  • Ronaldo says 2-0 win over Al-Khaleej 鈥榢eeps the pressure on鈥� Al-Hilal at the top of the SPL table

RIYADH: Cristiano Ronaldo鈥檚 world-class goal against Al-Khaleej has been described as 鈥渏ust normal鈥� for him by his delighted Al-Nassr manager Luis Castro.

Five-time Ballon d鈥橭r winner Ronaldo was the inspiration behind Al Nassr鈥檚 2-0 win on Saturday night at Al-Awwal Park in the Roshn Saudi League Matchday 12 fixture.

The opening strike saw Ronaldo collect the ball with his back to goal 25 yards out, swivel, and feint to shoot 鈥� thoroughly deceiving the Al-Khaleej defense 鈥� before unleashing a right-footed screamer into the top corner.

Fellow Portuguese Castro said: 鈥淭hat鈥檚 only normal for Cristiano! He makes that look easy. It鈥檚 a fantastic goal. Cristiano is No. 1 in the world. He鈥檚 a fantastic person and a fantastic professional. He鈥檚 massive on the pitch. It鈥檚 incredible. For me, he is an example for everybody, and he deserves the best always. He鈥檚 fantastic.鈥�

Ronaldo then turned provider after his 26th-minute opener to seal victory for Al-Nassr, who are second in the Roshn Saudi League table, four points behind Riyadh rivals Al-Hilal. 

Alex Telles鈥� deep free-kick from the left was crossed back by Ronaldo for defender Aymeric Laporte to tap home after 58 minutes and score his first goal for Al-Nassr since signing from Manchester City in the summer.

Ronaldo said: 鈥淪olid win. We keep the pressure on.鈥�

A thrilled Laporte posted a picture of himself and a beaming Ronaldo in the changing room after the match on social media, accompanied by the famous 鈥淪IUUUUUUU鈥� celebration caption.

Opposition manager Pedro Emanuel, a former Champions League winner with Porto under Jose Mourinho in 2004, sportingly praised Ronaldo鈥檚 goal.

Emanuel said: 鈥淩onaldo is an experienced player and was faster attacking this ball 鈥� and we were not so fast recovering.鈥�

Al-Nassr travel to Qatar to play Al-Duhail in the AFC Champions League on Tuesday before continuing their Roshn Saudi League campaign at Al-Wehda on Saturday.

Al-Hilal, who beat Al-Fateh 2-0 on Friday, head to Mumbai City in the AFC Champions League on Monday before resuming Roshn Saudi League action at home to Al-Taawoun on Friday.

Al-Khaleej are at home to Al-Tai on Thursday in the Roshn Saudi League.