981st! Ronaldo Scores in Al Nassr’s 3-1 Win Over Neftchi as Portugal Suspension Row Continues

Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 981st professional goal, across club and country, as Al Nassr beat Neftchi 3-1 in the AFC Champions League Elite on Monday. The strike keeps him on course for his target of 1,000 career goals.

The goal came amid a row over his future with Portugal. The 41-year-old has been provisionally suspended by the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) after leaving the national camp during the UEFA Nations League, and disciplinary proceedings have been opened against him. His rift with head coach Jorge Jesus has deepened.

THE MATCH

Angelo Gabriel put Al Nassr ahead in the 33rd minute, and Ronaldo added the second nine minutes later. Alisher Odilov pulled one back for Neftchi in the 51st minute. An own goal by Anvarjon Gofurov in the 78th minute gave Al Nassr a two-goal cushion, and the scoreline stayed the same until the end.

After the game, Ronaldo posted on Instagram: “Important win tonight. We keep building.”

THE SUSPENSION

The FPF’s disciplinary council has suspended Ronaldo on a non-automatic basis and classified the case as “urgent”. According to Goal.com, this is the first sanction against him while the investigation is pending, before any final penalty.

The FPF said in a statement, as reported by the newspaper A Bola, that the decision followed a deliberation by its non-professional section on Friday. Ronaldo was already under an automatic provisional suspension until proceedings opened.

The council added a precautionary suspension that was not automatic. The case has been referred to the federation’s disciplinary investigation committee, and the details will stay confidential until the investigation ends.

WHAT HAPPENED IN THE CAMP

Ronaldo left the Portugal camp 24 hours before the match against Denmark, after being benched in the previous game against Norway.

Before that match, he was told to warm up and expected to play in the second half. Jesus eventually decided not to bring him on, leaving the striker frustrated on the bench.

Jesus said the decision was tactical, but it added to the growing rift between the once-close coach and player. After a breakdown in communication over his role in the squad, Ronaldo left the camp early.

WHAT HE FACES

Under the FPF’s disciplinary rules, Ronaldo could be suspended for one to six months, along with a fine, if his departure is found to be unjustified. The rules say a player who is lawfully called up and leaves without justification, or skips training, a match or any team activity, faces such a penalty. Professionals can also be fined between 5 and 10 accounting units.

For Ronaldo, that fine would be between 500 and 1,000 euros.

With inputs from ANI and agencies