The Portuguese legend Cristiano Ronaldo led Al Nassr to the Saudi Pro League title after a decisive victory over Damac in the final round of the season, scoring two crucial goals in an emotional night that ended years of frustration since joining the Saudi side at the end of 2022.
Al Nassr faced heavy pressure early in the match as Damac put up strong resistance, before Ronaldo settled the contest with two goals in just 18 minutes, securing the club’s first league title since 2019 and his first domestic trophy in Al Nassr colors.
According to The National, the Portuguese star experienced emotional moments after the final whistle, appearing in tears while celebrating with the Portuguese flag as teammates and fans surrounded him, only days after the disappointment of losing the AFC Champions League final to Gamba Osaka.
Al Nassr finished the season with 86 points, two ahead of Al Hilal, who ended second despite beating Al Fayha.
Details
- Ronaldo concluded the season with 28 goals in 30 league matches, finishing third in the scoring charts behind Al Qadsiah striker Julián Quiñones and Al Ahli forward Ivan Toney.
- Despite continued debate over whether he is still the league’s best player, Ronaldo’s impact — commercially, technically, and in terms of fan engagement — has remained unmatched since his arrival in Saudi Arabia.
- Portuguese playmaker João Félix proved to be one of the key factors behind Al Nassr’s title-winning campaign, scoring 20 goals and providing 13 assists, while playing a central role in creating many of Ronaldo’s decisive goals.
- Ronaldo’s clutch performances this season, especially against Al Ahli and Damac, reaffirmed his ability to make the difference in major moments despite being over 41 years old.
- The title comes as Ronaldo edges closer to the milestone of 1,000 career goals, amid continued speculation over his future after the next World Cup and the possibility of a later move to Major League Soccer in the United States.
João Félix said Ronaldo had been under immense pressure to win his first title with Al Nassr, adding that he understood the struggles endured by the Portugal captain over recent years in pursuit of this achievement.
According to the Saudi Pro League, the Portuguese icon — alongside Ivan Toney — topped the shortlist for the league’s Best Player award.
Ronaldo not only lifted his first trophy with Al Nassr but also stole the spotlight with two goals and an emotional celebration that dominated social media, where he shared heartfelt words about the significance of the title for him.
What’s Next?
All eyes are now on whether Ronaldo’s future will be with Al Nassr following the long-awaited title triumph, or he will continue his journey in Saudi Arabia or seek a new challenge before bringing his remarkable career to a close.
