Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice as Al Nassr secured the Saudi Pro League title with a commanding 4-1 victory over Damac FC on Thursday. The win ended Ronaldo’s long wait for domestic silverware and helped Al Nassr finish two points ahead of Al Hilal in a dramatic title race.
The Portuguese forward delivered another decisive performance during the final half-hour of the match. First, Ronaldo curled a trademark free-kick into the far corner in the 63rd minute. Later, he smashed home a close-range finish after receiving a cut-back inside the box. Consequently, Al Nassr celebrated their league triumph after maintaining composure in a tense finale.
Ronaldo, now 41, became emotional as he watched the closing moments from the bench. He had not lifted a major domestic club trophy since winning Serie A with Juventus in 2020. However, he has now added the Saudi league crown to his titles in England, Spain, and Italy, alongside five UEFA Champions League trophies.
Saudi Football’s Global Transformation
Ronaldo joined Al Nassr in January 2023 after leaving Manchester United. His arrival opened the door for several global stars, including Neymar and Karim Benzema, to move to Saudi Arabia.
Moreover, Saudi officials aimed to transform the domestic league into one of the world’s leading football competitions. The country also strengthened its sporting ambitions after securing hosting rights for the 2034 FIFA World Cup. Ronaldo, who commands a massive global following, became a central figure in promoting Saudi Arabia’s growing sports industry.
Ronaldo Eyes Another World Cup Challenge
Despite his league success, Ronaldo experienced difficult moments during his Saudi stint. Last year, he broke down in tears after Al Nassr lost the King’s Cup final on penalties to Al Hilal. In addition, the club recently suffered defeat in the AFC Champions League Two final against Gamba Osaka.
Nevertheless, Ronaldo finished the season strongly and continued his remarkable scoring form. His career tally has now reached 973 goals, moving him closer to the historic 1,000-goal milestone. Furthermore, Portugal recently named him in its national squad, giving him another opportunity to compete at the FIFA World Cup.
