Cristiano Ronaldo finally got his hands on the Saudi Pro League trophy on Thursday as Al Nassr sealed the title with a commanding 4-1 victory over Damac FC, ending the Portuguese superstar’s long wait for domestic silverware in Saudi Arabia.The 41-year-old delivered on the biggest night of the season, scoring twice in the second half to guide Al Nassr to the championship ahead of rivals Al Hilal, who finished just two points behind in the title race.As the final minutes ticked away, Ronaldo — substituted late in the game — was seen in tears on the bench, overwhelmed after finally lifting his first Saudi league title following two frustrating seasons of near misses.
Ronaldo delivers when it matters most
With the title on the line on the final night of the campaign, Ronaldo once again produced a trademark performance.After Al Nassr raced into a 2-0 lead before Damac pulled one back, the veteran forward restored control in spectacular fashion in the 63rd minute. His trademark free-kick curled through a crowd of players and beat the goalkeeper to find the far corner, sparking wild celebrations.Ronaldo then sealed the victory nine minutes from time, smashing home a close-range finish from a cut-back inside the box to complete his brace and put the title beyond doubt.The Saudi league crown now adds to Ronaldo’s domestic league triumphs in England, Spain and Italy, alongside his five UEFA Champions League titles.
Ronaldo: From Saudi trailblazer to champion
Ronaldo’s arrival at Al Nassr in January 2023 transformed Saudi football globally. His blockbuster move opened the floodgates for several superstars including Neymar and Karim Benzema to move to the Saudi Pro League.Despite the enormous hype, Ronaldo’s Saudi journey had not always been smooth. He suffered heartbreaking final defeats, including the King’s Cup loss to Al Hilal in 2024 where he broke down in tears on the pitch.This season too brought disappointment after Al Nassr lost the AFC Champions League Two final last week.But Thursday finally gave Ronaldo the league title he had chased since arriving in the Gulf nation.The Portuguese icon, who now has 973 career goals, is also preparing for what could be his sixth and final FIFA World Cup after being named in Portugal’s squad earlier this week.