Cristiano Ronaldo may be gunning to be the only player to score 1000 goals, but a classy gesture suggested he's still a team-first man.
Ronaldo started up top alongside Sadio Mane for Al Nassr as they ran out 2-0 winners over Al Wehda in the Saudi Pro League on Tuesday.
The match kicked off an hour behind schedule after Al Nassr's bus broke down on the way to Al Wehda's home ground and Ronaldo looked evidently frustrated as he made his way to the away dressing room.
However, the delayed start did not impact his game as the Portuguese superstar opened the scoring in the 48th minute.
Angelo Gabriel, who was brought on at halftime, whipped in an inviting cross from the right flank.
Ronaldo was untracked by the Al Wehda back line as he sprinted into the box and deftly flicked his header past Al Wehda goalkeeper Abdullah Al-Owaishir, who was rooted to the spot.
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The 40-year-old's goal took his Saudi Pro League season tally to 17, one more than former Real Madrid teammate Karim Benzema in the race for the Golden Boot.
It was also Ronaldo's 925th career goal as he inches ever closer to reaching the iconic milestone of 1,000 goals.
Ronaldo had a brilliant opportunity to put further distance between himself and Al Ittihad's Benzema when Al Nassr were awarded a penalty in the tenth minute of second-half stoppage time.
As Al Nassr's designated penalty taker, just about everyone expected to see Ronaldo line up a shot from the spot.
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Despite the pressure of the Golden Boot race, Ronaldo opted to give the spot kick opportunity to Mane.
In a clip on social media, it seemed some of the Al Nassr supporters weren't happy with Ronaldo giving Mane the chance to score as they began whistling.
However, Ronaldo was seen telling them to quieten down before he made a clapping gesture and pointed towards Mane, encouraging his fans to get behind the Senegalese forward.
Going into the contest, Mane had endured a nine-game goal drought across all competitions.
Despite his lack of form in front of goal, the former Liverpool star made no mistake with his effort as he sent the goalkeeper the wrong way to double Al Nassr's advantage.
Ronaldo's unselfishness won plenty of plaudits on social media.
One fan wrote on X: "What a leader."
Another said: "GOAT mentality."
Mane's goal against Al Wehda took his league tally to six and his season tally to eight.
It reinforces Ronaldo's own fears that he could miss out on reaching 1000 goals as he looks to cement his claim as 'the best in history'.
Speaking to SSC Sports after last night's contest, Ronaldo apologised for his side arriving late and bemoaned their slow start, but was pleased with how the visitors took control in the second half.
"It was a tough game," Ronaldo said.
"The first half was difficult because we did a journey three hours in the bus because of traffic and the roads were closed.
"I want to apologise on behalf of Al Nassr for starting the game late. This is should not happen again. Sorry.
"We started not very good, but in second half we were a little bit better. We fixed our issues and we scored two goals so we are happy.
"[The comeback] Should be like that. This is Al Nassr we have to react ... We have to continue to win and let's see what's going to happen.
"Game-by-game, we have to build again the confidence ... We have to do it again we have to win, win, win and let's see what's going to happen."
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Al Nassr's win was their 14th in the league this term and leaves them third on 47 points.
However, they remain four points behind second-placed Al Hilal and equal on points with fourth-placed Al Qadisiyah.
