Al-Nassr have won the Saudi Pro League for the first time since Cristiano Ronaldo joined the club in 2022, as they pummelled Damac 4-1 on Thursday to wrap up the title
A relieved Cristiano Ronaldo broke down in tears before finally getting his hands on the Saudi Pro League title. Al-Nassr were crowned champions following a resounding 4-1 win at home to Damac on Thursday in which their captain scored twice.
Ronaldo, 41, has had a painstaking wait for his first major trophy in Saudi Arabia, including losing a cup final on Saturday. That was the second heartbreak the Portugal captain had suffered in the space of five days.
In their penultimate league game against second-placed Al-Hilal, his side were seconds away from sealing the title before they conceded a stoppage-time equaliser courtesy of a defensive mixup. Ronaldo and his team-mates subsequently had to wait until the final day, but they’ve now got their hands on the trophy.
After goals from Sadio Mane and Kingsley Coman set Al-Nassr on their way, Damac threatened a comeback by scoring before the hour mark. But within five minutes, Ronaldo netted the first of his two goals from a free-kick and sealed the win.
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Manager Jorge Jesus subbed Ronaldo in the closing stages and he could be seen in tears while sitting on the bench. Ronaldo’s brace also took him to 974 career goals, as he continues to pursue the milestone of 1,000.
Ronaldo has now won eight league titles in glittering career. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner signed for Al-Nassr in December 2022 following his acrimonious departure from Manchester United.
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Things didn’t go to plan in his first two full seasons but it’s proved to be third time lucky, with Jesus leading Al-Nassr to the title in his first season in charge. It’s also set to be the 71-year-old’s last, having decided to leave the Riyadh club when his contract expires next month.
Ronaldo is set to remain in Saudi Arabia until 2027, having signed a new lucrative two-year deal last summer. But he knows that retirement isn’t far away.
Last month, Ronaldo admitted: “The end of my career is getting closer… let’s enjoy every game. I keep playing not only for this generation, but also for the previous one and the one coming next.
“I enjoy it day by day, game by game, year by year, even as I get closer to the end of my career. That’s a fact. My career has been brilliant and I want to keep it that way. I still enjoy it, I keep scoring goals… but above all, it’s about winning.”
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