Nigerian forward Odion Ighalo proved against Al Nassr that he remains one of the best players in the Saudi Arabian Professional League.
Former Nigeria International Ighalo reached a milestone Tuesday night for his Saudi Arabian club, Al Hilal.
The 33-year-old was the star of the day on his 50th appearance for the Saudi Arabian giants, with 42 goals to his name.
He outshone Cristiano Ronaldo to inspire Al Hilal to an easy 2-0 win, scoring both goals in either half to give Hilal bragging rights.
22:08 - 01.04.2023
Ighalo pulls further away from Ronaldo as he inspired Al-Hilal to victory
Odion Ighalo takes his season tally to 14, firing Al-Hilal past Al-Khaleej.
The goals were his 17th and 18th of the season in just 20 matches for the club in the Saudi Arabia Professional League club.
Ighalo show
Nigeria Super Eagles star was in his best form on the night as he steered the Blues Waves to victory in the derby.
Hilal hosted Ronaldo and his Nassr teammates in what was a keenly contested encounter at the King Fahd International Stadium.
But the former AFCON top scorer came out tops in the battle between two former Manchester United players.
Ighalo celebrated his 50th appearance in style, with two well-taken goals to underline his position as one of the best players in the Professional division.
20:59 - 04.04.2023
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Ighalo’s brief
The former Super Eagles striker joined the Saudi giants in the winter transfer window back in January 2022 from city rivals Al Shabab.
He put pen to paper on an 18-month deal with Hilal as a replacement for Frenchman Bafetimbi Gomis who departed the club.
Al Hilal is Saudi’s most successful club with 17 titles and were the domestic and Asian Champions when Ighalo joined them.
He has since led the club to the Saudi League title last season and finished as the top scorer of the Saudi Professional League.
Ighalo, who scored 23 goals last season to emerge top scorer and already has 18 this season, was part of the Hilal team that made it to the final of the FIFA World Club Championship where they lost to Real Madrid.