Cristiano Ronaldo scores landmark goal just days after celebrating his 40th birthday - but new £65m team-mate Jhon Duran steals the show with brace
Cristiano Ronaldo scores landmark goal just days after celebrating his 40th birthday - but new £65m team-mate Jhon Duran steals the show with brace
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Al-Nassr discovered a new goalscoring hero in the midst of Cristiano Ronaldo's 40th birthday celebrations. Ronaldo got his birthday goal as Al-Nassr ran out 3-0 winners over Al-Fayha, but it was January signing Jhon Duran who stole the show. Starting his first Saudi Pro League game since completing his £65m move from Aston Villa, Duran led from the front for his new team, propelling them on the course to victory.
![[Cristiano Ronaldo was visibly delighted with the exploits of his club's latest marquee signing]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/02/07/19/94983977-14373755-image-a-21_1738957881426.jpg)
He needed just 22 minutes to make an impact in Riyadh, driving past ex-Manchester United centre-back Chris Smalling before finishing coolly to break the deadlock. The Colombian frontman ran off to celebrate his debut goal with strike partner Ronaldo, who could hardly hide his delight with Al-Nassr's latest marquee recruit. The 21-year-old then bagged his second of the night in the second-half, latching onto a cross from Sadio Mane before lofting the ball over the on-rushing goalkeeper to give the Saudi giants breathing space.
![[Ronaldo got in on the action himself, scoring two days after celebrating his 40th birthday]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/02/07/19/94984001-14373755-image-a-20_1738957860594.jpg)
Jhon Duran bagged a stunning brace on his Al-Nassr debut following his move from Aston Villa. Cristiano Ronaldo was visibly delighted with the exploits of his club's latest marquee signing. Ronaldo got in on the action himself, scoring two days after celebrating his 40th birthday. While Unai Emery appeared happy to let his headline-grabbing striker go for a hefty fee, Duran's debut double acted as a reminder of what European football is now missing out on.
A formidable talent at such a young age, Duran's performance further demonstrates his signing as as a statement for Saudi football, attracting a prodigy that had also garnered the interest of European goliaths such as Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea. With so much of his career to play out, Europe's biggest clubs will be sure to keep a keen eye on Duran in years to come, on red alert if the Colombian ever opts for a return to the continent.
But for now, he joins forces with Ronaldo to form one of the most ferocious attacking partnerships in Saudi football - a duo that was in full force against Al-Fayha. After Duran's brace settled the nerves in Riyadh, Ronaldo promptly added to the scoresheet two minutes later, sweeping home from inside the box to score his first goal since celebrating his 40th birthday on Wednesday. This was a fitting gesture of thanks for the Al-Nassr faithful, who had serenaded Ronaldo in the 40th minute by chanting his name.
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