Ronaldo Hits Historic 100-Goal Mark in Saudi Pro League

Cristiano Ronaldo has reached another historic milestone after scoring his 100th Saudi Pro League goal in Al Nassr’s 4–2 victory over Al Shabab on Thursday night, further cementing his impact on football in Saudi Arabia.

The Portuguese forward struck in the 75th minute, finishing a precise cross from Sadio Mané to put Al Nassr 3–1 ahead in a crucial league encounter that strengthened their position at the top of the Saudi Pro League table.

The goal also marked Ronaldo’s 26th league goal of the current season, maintaining his impressive scoring form as Al Nassr continue their push for the league title.

His teammate, João Félix, delivered a standout performance, scoring a hat-trick to inspire the team’s victory and help them extend their lead at the top of the standings to five points.

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Ronaldo, who joined Al Nassr in 2022, has now reached the 100-goal milestone in less than four seasons, highlighting his remarkable consistency despite being in the later stages of his career.

The 41-year-old forward continues to play a central role in Al Nassr’s attacking system, combining experience and finishing ability to remain one of the most influential players in the league.

Since moving to Saudi Arabia, Ronaldo has become a global figurehead for the Saudi Pro League, significantly boosting its international visibility while continuing to break individual scoring records.

With this latest achievement, he moves even closer to another career landmark as he continues to chase the 1,000 career goals target, further extending his legacy as one of football’s greatest goalscorers.

Al Nassr’s victory over Al Shabab also reinforces their title ambitions, with Ronaldo’s milestone goal adding momentum to their ongoing championship campaign.

Ronaldo Hits Historic 100-Goal Mark in Saudi Pro League

FIFA President Defends High 2026 World Cup Ticket Prices

The president of the FIFA, Gianni Infantino, has defended the rising cost of tickets for the 2026 World Cup, insisting that pricing reflects market demand and existing resale regulations, particularly in the United States.

Infantino made the comments during the Milken Institute Global Conference in Beverly Hills, responding to widespread criticism from fan organisations and supporters’ groups who argue that ticket prices for the tournament have become unaffordable for ordinary football fans.

He explained that FIFA operates within US laws that permit ticket resales at significantly higher prices than face value, arguing that this structure naturally drives up secondary market listings. His comments came after reports that the official FIFA resale platform listed World Cup final tickets in New York at prices exceeding $2 million per seat.

Supporter organisations, including Football Supporters Europe (FSE), have strongly criticised the pricing system, describing it as excessive and unfair. The group has also filed a complaint with the European Commission, challenging FIFA’s ticket pricing structure ahead of the 2026 tournament.

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Infantino, however, maintained that high resale prices do not represent official ticket values and do not necessarily reflect actual transactions. He said the demand for World Cup matches remains exceptionally high, making such listings more a reflection of market behaviour than FIFA’s pricing policy.

He also pointed to a significant rise in ticket costs compared to previous tournaments. At the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, the most expensive final tickets cost around $1,600, while the 2026 edition is expected to see top-tier tickets priced at approximately $11,000 at face value.

Despite the controversy, Infantino noted that around 25% of group-stage tickets have been priced under $300, which he said ensures some level of affordability for a wider range of fans.

He further revealed that FIFA received more than 500 million ticket requests for the 2026 World Cup, far exceeding previous tournaments. According to him, this unprecedented demand justifies a tiered pricing system designed to balance accessibility with revenue generation.

Infantino also compared World Cup pricing to major sporting events in the United States, arguing that even college sports tickets can exceed $300, reinforcing his view that the tournament is priced within the global entertainment market.

Despite FIFA’s defence, critics continue to warn that rising costs could exclude ordinary supporters from attending football’s biggest event, as debates over affordability and accessibility intensify ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

FIFA President Defends High 2026 World Cup Ticket Prices

Bukayo Saka Sends Arsenal Into First UCL Final Since 2006

Arsenal FC reached the UEFA Champions League final for the first time in two decades after a gritty 1-0 victory over Atletico Madrid on Tuesday night, with Bukayo Saka scoring the decisive goal at the Emirates Stadium.

Mikel Arteta’s side sealed a 2-1 aggregate win following last week’s 1-1 draw in Madrid, showing resilience and maturity to overcome one of Europe’s most defensively organised teams.

The breakthrough came in the 44th minute after sustained Arsenal pressure. A clever attacking move involving Viktor Gyokeres and Leandro Trossard unsettled Atletico’s backline, forcing Jan Oblak into a weak save. Saka reacted quickest, tapping home from close range to send the Emirates into celebration. The goal capped another standout performance from the England international, who continues to embody Arsenal’s resurgence under Arteta.

Atletico responded strongly after the break, with Julian Alvarez and Giuliano Simeone both going close in a frantic opening spell. However, Arsenal weathered the pressure with composure and defensive discipline. Goalkeeper David Raya made a crucial save to deny Antoine Griezmann, while Gabriel Magalhaes produced a vital last-ditch intervention to preserve the lead and secure progression.

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The victory sends Arsenal into their first Champions League final since 2006, when they lost 2-1 to FC Barcelona. Despite historic European successes in the 1970 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup and the 1994 Cup Winners’ Cup, the club is still chasing its first Champions League title. Their most recent European final appearance came in 2019, when they were beaten 4-1 by Chelsea FC in the Europa League.

Arsenal will now face either Bayern Munich or Paris Saint-Germain in the final on May 30 in Budapest, with PSG holding a narrow advantage ahead of the second leg. Domestically, the Gunners are also closing in on the Premier League title after a slip by Manchester City boosted their chances, leaving them within touching distance of a historic league and Champions League double.

Victory in both competitions would elevate this current squad alongside — or even beyond — the legendary “Invincibles” team led by Arsene Wenger in 2004. Arteta has long spoken about his ambition to return Arsenal to the summit of European football, and now, with just one game left, that vision is within reach as the club stands on the brink of history.

Bukayo Saka Sends Arsenal Into First UCL Final Since 2006