Disputed Goal Creates Split Record for Ronaldo After Al‑Nassr Win

Conflicting attributions between the Saudi Pro League and major data providers leave Ronaldo's career tally and his push toward 1,000 goals in dispute.

Overview

The contested strike came from a João Félix free‑kick that led to a header and a clear deflection off Al‑Faisaly defender Andrei Girotto during Al‑Nassr’s 3‑1 victory on Friday.
The Saudi Pro League’s official match report credited the goal to Cristiano Ronaldo and recorded it as his 982nd career goal.
Independent data firms Opta, SofaScore and Flashscore logged the same event as an own goal by Girotto, creating two competing public records.
Former Saudi players Sami Al‑Jaber, Mohammed Noor and Hussein Abdulghani publicly said replays suggest the defender supplied the decisive touch and questioned the league’s attribution.
If the league’s credit stands, Ronaldo needs 18 more goals to reach 1,000, but the split in record-keeping raises broader questions about how milestone totals are verified and reported.