Ronaldo’s Golden Boot Bid Falters as Ivan Toney Extends Lead in Saudi Pro League
Ronaldo drops out of top‑10 scorers after Matchday 11
Al Nassr’s Portuguese star saw his position on the Saudi Pro League scoring chart slip after a busy matchday that saw several rivals add to their tallies. The forward’s header against Al Faisaly had taken him to five league goals – the 982nd of his illustrious career – and placed him among a cluster of players tied on the same total. However, a flurry of goals from other clubs reshaped the leaderboard.
Ivan Toney pulls away with a brace
Al Ahli’s striker was the standout of the day, netting two goals in a 4‑1 victory over Al Khaleej. The double lifted him to 13 goals from just nine appearances, giving him a comfortable cushion at the top of the Golden Boot race. He now sits six goals clear of the next closest competitors.
Other attackers surge ahead of Ronaldo
While Toney surged ahead, three more players moved past the Portuguese veteran:
- Francisco Trincão (Al Ahli) – 6 goals
- George Ilenikhena (Al Ittihad) – 6 goals
- Gabriel Martinelli (Al Hilal) – 6 goals
Mateo Retegui (Al Qadsiah) also added another strike, taking his total to seven, matching Youssef En‑Nesyri (Al Ittihad) at the same figure.
Current top‑10 scoring chart (after Matchday 11)
- 1. Ivan Toney – Al Ahli – 13 goals
- 2. Mateo Retegui – Al Qadsiah – 7 goals
- 3. Youssef En‑Nesyri – Al Ittihad – 7 goals
- 4. Francisco Trincão – Al Ahli – 6 goals
- 5. George Ilenikhena – Al Ittihad – 6 goals
- 6. Gabriel Martinelli – Al Hilal – 6 goals
- 7. Julian Quiñones – Al Qadsiah – 5 goals
- 8. Sergej Milinković‑Savić – Al Hilal – 5 goals
- 9. Tijjani Reijnders – Al Qadsiah – 5 goals
- 10. Alexandre Lacazette – Neom – 5 goals
Ronaldo now finds himself tied with several players on five goals, placing him 13th in the race.
What lies ahead for Al Nassr and Ronaldo
Al Nassr will host Al Kholood in the league on 29 October, offering Ronaldo a chance to add to his tally and possibly re‑enter the top‑10. Before that, the side has a continental commitment on 26 October, facing Al‑Wasl in the AFC Champions League Elite after a 3‑1 win over Neftchi Fargona in their previous fixture.
Analysis: Can Ronaldo revive his challenge?
Ronaldo’s five‑goal haul remains impressive, especially considering his age and the fact that each goal adds to a career total that already exceeds 980. Yet the pace at which his rivals are scoring – Toney’s 13 in nine games and Martinelli’s one‑goal‑per‑match rate – suggests that a sustained run of form will be essential if the Portuguese forward hopes to contend for the Golden Boot.
The upcoming league clash against Al Kholood could be pivotal. A multi‑goal performance would not only narrow the gap but also reaffirm Ronaldo’s reputation as a decisive scorer in a foreign league. Simultaneously, the AFC Champions League fixture will test the squad’s depth and may affect the rotation of key players ahead of the domestic fixtures.
For now, the Golden Boot leaderboard reflects a highly competitive environment, with several emerging talents challenging established names. Fans will be watching closely to see whether Ronaldo can spark a late‑season surge or if the race will be decided by the younger, hungry forwards who have already made a strong imprint on the Saudi Pro League.
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