Cristiano Ronaldo’s Hat-Trick Lights Up Preseason
Cristiano Ronaldo has once again stolen the spotlight — this time in a preseason clash that has the football world talking. At 40 years old, the Portuguese icon delivered a flawless hat-trick in Al-Nassr’s 4–0 win over Rio Ave at the Estádio Algarve on Thursday, August 7.
The goals came in classic Ronaldo fashion: a thunderous long-range strike, a commanding header, and a calm penalty conversion. His chemistry with fellow Portuguese star , who assisted one of the goals, was another talking point. Fans are already speculating about what this partnership could mean for the Saudi Pro League champions.
Social media platform X erupted within minutes of the final whistle. The match became a global trending topic, with reactions split between admiration and cautious skepticism. Supporters see the performance as proof that “age is just a number,” while others remind everyone that preseason form doesn’t necessarily translate to major silverware.
This comes on the heels of a surprising omission: both Ronaldo and Lionel Messi were left off the 2025 Ballon d’Or shortlist, fueling debate about whether football’s most celebrated rivalry is entering its twilight years.
Still, Ronaldo’s form is hard to ignore. Last season, he netted 25 goals in the Saudi Pro League and lifted the UEFA Nations League with Portugal. With the Saudi Super Cup semifinal against Al-Ittihad on the horizon, this hat-trick feels like a message — not just to rivals in Saudi Arabia, but to the football world at large.
Whether you see it as preseason flair or a sign of another big year, Cristiano Ronaldo ’s ability to command headlines remains unmatched. His iconic celebration images are already flooding timelines, uniting fans and even drawing respectful nods from long-time Messi supporters.
