Back with a bang! Cristiano Ronaldo scores his first goal of the season for Al-Nassr on his return to action as superstar finds the net for the 23rd consecutive year

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Cristiano Ronaldo wasted no time in scoring his first goal of the season for Al-Nassr after finding the net against Al-Taawoun in the Saudi Super Cup semi-final.

In the wake of his disappointing Euro 2024 campaign with Portugal this summer, the superstar returned to action at club level on Wednesday evening and delivered a sensational performance - capped off with a maiden strike and an assist.

The evergreen 39-year-old found himself in the thick of the action in the game's early knockings and teed up Ayman Yahya for the breakthrough in the eighth minute.

Ronaldo then ensured he hit the ground running after tucking home a neat finish shortly before the hour mark following good work down the right from Yahya.

Sultan Al-Ghannam received the ball from the winger and set up Ronaldo after squeezing in a cross from the byline, the veteran tucking home with aplomb.

Cristiano Ronaldo scored on his Al-Nassr return to hit the ground running in the new season

The superstar swept home from a cut-back to seal a 2-0 Saudi Super Cup win over Al-Taawoun

He then wheeled away to celebrate exuberantly with his team-mates.

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Five-time Ballon d'Or winner Ronaldo could even have notched a brace on his Saudi Arabian comeback but was agonisingly denied by the woodwork. 

His goal sensationally ensured he has now scored in 23 consecutive seasons and he will look to take his red-hot form into the Saudi Super Cup final on August 17.

Should Ronaldo's side beat Al-Hilal, he will lift his second trophy for the club. 

But while he continues to catch the eye in the Middle East, his storied international career appears to be winding down to an emotional close. 

Speaking after his country's dramatic quarter-final knockout by France, Ronaldo admitted his journey at the European Championship was over.

'It is, without doubt, my last European Championship,' he said. 'But I'm not emotional about that. 

Ronaldo applied a first-time finish inside the near post after Sultan Al-Ghannam's low cross

The evergreen 39-year-old has now scored in 23 consecutive campaigns as a professional

'I'm moved by all football means - by the enthusiasm I have for the game, the enthusiasm for seeing supporters, my family, the affection people have for me. 

'It's not about leaving football, because if I do, what else would I need to do or win?'

His former Manchester United team-mate Rio Ferdinand, however, believes Ronaldo will play on for his club for at least another couple of years.

Speaking on X, Ferdinand said: 'I can't give too much away, but I've been doing a few bits with Cristiano behind the scenes, and he's playing as long as he wants. 

'He ain't going nowhere, and I'm gobsmacked, and listen, you'll see it in time. But minimum three years, I think, he plays for again.'