With 31 goals across all competitions this season, Mbappe has now surpassed Brazilian icon Ronaldo’s tally from his debut campaign in 2002-03.

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner winner has often been backed by his teammates to keep playing till the 2026 FIFA World Cup. 

Ronaldo, the Al Nassr captain, was reportedly rested for last week's goalless draw in the first leg in Iran, however returned to lead the side at Al Awwal Park.

Saudi teams dominated the tournament's West zone league stage, with four-time Asian champions Al Hilal leading Al Ahli and Al Nassr in the top three in the final table.

Ronaldo turned 40 last week with his current contract due to end in June 2025.

The Portuguese great appeared to trade an end-of-career payday for football obscurity when he moved to Riyadh's Al Nassr two years ago in a deal said to be worth $250 million.

Al-Nassr’s Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo has never been shy of making grand statements about his greatness and has declared himself the best ever to play the game of football many times.

Manchester City midfielder Rodri took the prestigious prize in October with favourite Vinicius in second place

Ronaldo is one of the 77 players nominated for The Best FIFA Men’s 11 of 2024, joining Messi among 22 forwards competing for a spot.

Al Nassr captain Ronaldo had looked destined to endure a hugely frustrating game following a series of missed opportunities in the first half at Al Bayt Stadium.

The Portuguese star, without a goal in his past three appearances for the Saudi Arabian side, netted the second of the hosts' goals at Al Awwal Park in Riyadh.

Cristiano Ronaldo missed a stoppage-time penalty and his Saudi Pro League club Al Nassr were eliminated from the King’s Cup in a 1-0 loss to Al Taawoun.

The men's shortlist for the 2023/24 edition of the prestigious individual award is the first since 2003 to feature neither Lionel Messi nor Cristiano Ronaldo who hoovered up the prize 13 times between them.

Martinez assured his fans that Ronaldo will be involved against Scotland.

Cristiano Ronaldo insists he is focused on being the perfect team member at Saudi side Al Nassr rather than collecting more individual accolades in the twilight of his career.

Ronaldo, making his first appearance in the rebranded Asian Champions League having missed last week's 1-1 opening draw against Iraqi club Al Shorta, had a goal disallowed for a narrow offside at the beginning of the second half.

However contradictory, Petit's remarks capture the delicate balance between ego and excellence.

His Portuguese predecessor Castro was the third coach to depart Al Nassr since Ronaldo's groundbreaking arrival in early 2023.

Al Nassr captain Ronaldo did not travel with the squad for the match in Baghdad, with the club issuing a statement a day before stating that the Portuguese superstar had been diagnosed with a viral infection.

The Portuguese veteran is targeting Asia's top club crown to add to his long list of achievements when the competition kicks off on Monday.