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By Anthony Nlebem.
Despite his impressive goal record for Al-Nassr striker Cristiano Ronaldo name was missing in the Saudi Pro League team of the season, as Nigerian striker Jude Ighalo leads the frontline.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner also finished as the Saudi Pro League’s fifth top scorer for the season with his 14 goals.
However, upon their decision to name the league’s Team of the Season, sport statistic gurus OPTA chose not to include Ronaldo.
Instead, former Manchester United and now Al Hilal striker Odion Ighalo leads the attack thanks to his 19 goals in 27 games.
Ronaldo was snapped up by Al-Nassri after his contract at Manchester United was terminated and the Portugal hero went on to net 14 times in just 16 games. Despite his presence, the Riyadh club were unable to win the league title, finishing second behind Al-Ittihad.
Ex-United player Ighalo finished the campaign as the third-top scorer but he has since left the club after his 18-month spell. Al-Hilal had hoped to lure Lionel Messi to the Middle East, but they will now have to look elsewhere for Ighalo’s replacement after the Argentine opted to join Inter Miami.
Joining Ighalo in the forward position were Al Fateh duo Firas Al-Buraikan and Mourad Batna, who scored 17 and 10 goals, respectively.
Two of Ronaldo’s Al Nassr teammates made the cut as Luiz Gustavo was named in midfield and Ghislain Konan selected at left-back.
The champions Al-Ittihad featured five players, which included Romarinho, Ahmed Hegazi, Ahmed Sharahili, Madallah Al-Olayan and Marcelo Grohe.
Former Bayern Munich midfielder Luiz Gustavo made the cut and was joined by his Al-Nassr teammate Ghislain Konan at left-back, who boasted an impressive 8.9 match rating on average.
Al-Taawoun’s Kaku completed the midfield trio.
