Ronaldo's performance was lackluster even though he scored.

In the 14th round of the 2025/26 Saudi Pro League, Al Nassr was defeated 1-2 by Al Qadisiya. Ronaldo scored the sole goal for Al Nassr, yet even with that, the match was an uninspiring display from the Portuguese icon.

The highlight match of the Saudi Pro League on the early morning of January 9, 2026, ended with a major shock for Al Nassr. Facing a lower-ranked Al Qadsiah, the team led by coach Jorge Jesus still had to accept a 1-2 defeat on their home ground. Notably, Al Nassr’s only goal was scored by Cristiano Ronaldo, but it was from a penalty kick and nearly the only significant contribution from the Portuguese star throughout the 90 minutes.

According to FotMob statistics, Ronaldo played the full match, scored one goal, attempted five shots but only one was on target—the successful penalty. Additionally, CR7 was caught offside four times, a figure that clearly reflects the 40-year-old striker’s disconnect against Al Qadsiah’s defense.

It’s undeniable that Ronaldo still inspires confidence for Al Nassr whenever he steps up to take a penalty. His composure, calmness, and experience remain intact. However, putting aside the penalty goal, the rest of his performance was deeply disappointing.

In a game where Al Nassr controlled possession more, Ronaldo was often isolated amid the opposing center-backs. His movements were no longer quick enough, and the signature sprints that once defined CR7 were almost absent. Instead, the image was of a slower Ronaldo, easier to predict and heavily reliant on set pieces.

Particularly notable were the four offsides. At his peak, Ronaldo was known for perfect positioning, but in this match, he repeatedly made runs half a beat late or lacked connection with teammates around him. This indicates not just physical decline but also a breakdown in Al Nassr’s tactical cohesion.

Ronaldo’s decline is not a new story, but the loss to Al Qadsiah sounded another warning bell. At 40 years old, it’s unrealistic to expect CR7 to carry the entire attack, press relentlessly, or create breakthroughs from open play. Yet, as he remains the focal point of Al Nassr’s offense, these limitations are becoming increasingly apparent.

Cristiano Ronaldo remains a legend and an icon, but currently, he is no longer the “destroyer” capable of deciding matches with live action plays. The 1-2 defeat to Al Qadsiah is perhaps the clearest evidence of an unavoidable truth: Ronaldo is genuinely aging.