Cristiano Ronaldo scores his second hat-trick in last three Al-Nassr games

The Saudi Pro League is turning out to be a fertile hunting ground for Cristiano Ronaldo. Just a couple of weeks after claiming his first hat trick for Al-Nassr, the Portuguese forward was at it again, earning himself another matchball which his team mates will happily sign for his collection.

Earlier this month, Cristiano Ronaldo supplied all of the goals in Al-Nassr’s 4-0 win against Al-Wehda - in the process, inching past 500 goals at club level. He turned provider in the next game, setting up Abdulrahman Ghareeb and Abdullah Madu in the 2-1 win over Al-Taawoun although he didn’t find the target himself.

But the goals were back flowing today. Cristiano treated travelling fans in Abha to his trademark celebratory leap more than once after hitting a first-half hat trick against hosts, Damac. He put the visitors in front on 18 minutes, sending keeper Moustapha Zeghba the wrong way with a brilliantly-struck penalty. Five minutes later he had the back of the net billowing again; receiving a through ball just outside the box, he drilled a low, left-foot effort past Moustapha Zeghba from inside the D.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s hat tricks

He brought his hat trick up on half-time, finishing off a breakaway move after the ball was squared to him, this time tucking it away with his other boot. Just for good measure, he made it 0-4 on 66 minutes with a first-time finish inside the post. Another four goals for his personal tally, which stands at nine in five games for Al-Nassr, his second hat trick (or poker to be precise), the 62nd hat trick of his career and the 507th goal at club level.

Today’s 0-4 victory enabled Al-Nassr to open up a two-point lead at the top of the table. The team are on 43 points, just ahead of Al-Ittihad, who were held to a goalless draw by Al-Raed on Thursday.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s goal at club level, so far…