Cristiano Ronaldo faces a double setback in 2026

January 2026 witnessed Cristiano Ronaldo maintaining consistent form in the Saudi Pro League, yet he still missed the Player of the Month title amid Ivan Toney’s breakout and rise to the top of the scoring charts.

In January 2026, Cristiano Ronaldo’s attacking metrics were largely effective. The Al-Nassr captain appeared frequently in the starting lineup, playing regularly and clearly demonstrating his leadership role as the club faced a demanding schedule in the Saudi Pro League. However, despite consistently scoring and being central to the attack, Ronaldo experienced an unexpected setback by missing out on the Player of the Month award amid an intriguing race for the top scorer title.

Throughout January, Ronaldo played almost every three to four days, featuring in seven matches and scoring four goals, often completing the full 90 minutes. His performance ratings reflected his consistency, mostly ranging between 6 and 7, with one match reaching 7.2. These stats highlight his impressive endurance but also reveal a lack of “game-changing” explosive performances that often influence award voting.

Ronaldo still directly contributed to many goals, continually drawing defenders’ attention to create space for teammates. Yet, it seems he did not quite “decide matches” in the memorable way that voters often recall when selecting award winners. In a league increasingly valuing both efficiency and iconic moments, mere consistency no longer guarantees individual honors.

Notably, Al-Nassr’s collective form in January was also not particularly convincing. A series of early losses diminished their dominant image, significantly affecting the Portuguese star’s chances of winning awards. In the Saudi Pro League, individual achievements are often closely tied to team results, meaning even outstanding contributions can be overshadowed if the team lacks stability.

While Ronaldo maintained his durability, another player created unmissable moments. Ivan Toney, Al-Ahli’s main striker, turned January into his personal stage. The English forward scored 12 goals in seven matches, including two hat-tricks, helping his team climb the rankings and surpass Ronaldo in the Golden Boot race.

Toney started the year with a brace against Al-Nassr, followed by another two goals versus Al-Taawoun, scoring against Al-Okhdood and Al-Kholood, before finishing the month with two hat-tricks against Al-Khaleej and Al-Ettifaq: “I feel I’m playing very well, and continuing to score in Saudi Arabia will give me a better chance to be part of what might be my only World Cup,” Toney said, emphasizing his ambition to return to the England national team.

His impressive form also earned Toney five Man of the Match awards in January, leading to his Player of the Month honor in the Saudi Pro League. He became the first English player to receive this accolade and the first Al-Ahli player to win since April 2025. His total of 18 goals now places him ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo and Julian Quinones of Al-Qadsiah (both with 17 goals).

Missing the award does not diminish Ronaldo’s class. At 41, he remains one of the league’s most consistent forwards, fit enough to play full matches and maintain a standard that many younger strikers find hard to match. January 2026 clearly reflects Ronaldo’s current phase: excellent but understated, taking on more of a leadership role than chasing individual trophies.

Meanwhile, Toney’s surge highlights the fierce competition at the top of the scoring charts. He has attracted attention from several European clubs, including Juventus, but for now, he is focused on maintaining his form in Saudi Arabia to convince coach Thomas Tuchel to give him a chance in the England squad.