Cristiano Ronaldo scores first half hat-trick to move Al Nassr two points clear at Saudi Pro League summit

Cristiano Ronaldo continued his scintillating form for Al Nassr after scoring a first-half hat-trick in a 3-0 win over Damac in the Saudi Pro League.

Ronaldo broke the deadlock in the 18th minute after powering home a penalty into the top corner, before doubling his side’s advantage with a clinical long-range effort.

He completed his treble shortly before the half-time whistle in a move instigated by Abdulrahman Ghareeb, who switched play and allowed the ball to be passed to Ronaldo, who netted the 62nd hat-trick of his career.

Saturday’s hat-trick follows on from Ronaldo’s two assists in a 2-1 win Al-Taawoun, meaning the Portugal captain now 10 goal involvements in his last four appearances for the Saudi side.

Those three first-half goals were enough for Al Nassr to move Rudi Garcia’s side two points clear at the top of the table.

The Knights of Najd are hoping to end a run of three years without the title, as Ronaldo aims to win the eighth domestic title of his career after winning championships in England, Spain and Italy.

Ronaldo now appears to have consigned a tumultuous end to 2022 to the past following an acrimonious exit from Manchester United.

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner took part in an explosively revealing interview with Piers Morgan, where Erik ten Hag, Manchester United and even Wayne Rooney came in for some stinging criticism.

He said: “I don’t know what’s going on. Since Sir Alex Ferguson left I have seen not evolution in the club. The progress was zero.

“I don’t have respect for him (Ten Hag) because he doesn’t show respect for me. If you don’t have respect for me, I’m never gonna have respect for you.”

“Cristiano Ronaldo is a positive addition, as he helps to disperse defenders,” Garcia said. “He is one of the best players in the world.

“He will not finish his career at Al-Nassr, he will return to Europe.”