| Date | 21 May 2026 |
| Venue | Al-Awwal Park, Riyadh |
| Scorers | Mane 34′, Coman, Ronaldo 63′ (free kick), Ronaldo 81′ / Silla 58′ (pen) |
| Ronaldo goals | 973 career goals total |
| Final standings | Al Nassr 86 pts · Al Hilal 84 pts |
| Al Nassr’s last title | 2018-19 season |
| Next for Ronaldo | 2026 FIFA World Cup with Portugal |
RIYADH (The Thursday Times) — Cristiano Ronaldo finally has his Saudi Pro League title. The 41-year-old scored twice to inspire Al Nassr to a 4-1 victory over Damac on the final night of the 2025-26 season, clinching the championship by two points over rivals Al Hilal in front of a packed Al-Awwal Park. He reached 973 career goals in the process, ending his longest wait for a major club trophy since winning Serie A with Juventus in 2020.
It was the trophy that had eluded Ronaldo since his arrival in Saudi Arabia in January 2023. Three seasons. Two runner-up finishes. Several cup final heartbreaks. And on Thursday night, as the final whistle confirmed Al Nassr as champions, the Portuguese star watched from the bench in the closing minutes and wept.
How the Night Unfolded
The atmosphere inside Al-Awwal Park was tense before kickoff. A 1-1 draw against Al Hilal the previous week had pushed the title race to the final day, with Al Nassr knowing that anything less than a win could hand the championship to their cross-Riyadh rivals.
Sadio Mane broke the deadlock in the 34th minute, finishing off a strong attacking move to give Al Nassr the lead before halftime. Kingsley Coman doubled the advantage shortly after the break. Then Damac pulled one back through a Morlaye Silla penalty in the 58th minute, and for a few anxious minutes the crowd held its breath.
Ronaldo ended the uncertainty. A trademark free kick in the 63rd minute restored the two-goal cushion and brought the stadium back to its feet. He added a fourth in the 81st minute, his second of the night, confirming a victory that Al Nassr’s supporters will not forget.
“He adds the Saudi championship to his English, Spanish and Italian titles and five Champions League medals.”
Personal Redemption – Six Years Without a League Title
Ronaldo, 41, had not won a major league title since claiming Serie A with Juventus in 2020. His second spell at Manchester United ended without silverware. His arrival in Saudi Arabia in January 2023, on a deal reported at around $232 million, was supposed to change that. Instead, his first two full Saudi seasons brought second-place finishes and persistent questions about whether the move had been the right one.
A painful AFC Champions League Two final defeat against Gamba Osaka in the weeks before this title victory added further pressure. Thursday night answered all of it.
How Close Was It – The Final Standings
| Club | Points | Final Day Result |
|---|---|---|
| Al Nassr 🏆 | 86 | Beat Damac 4-1 |
| Al Hilal | 84 | Runners-up |
Al Nassr won their 11th league title overall and their fourth Saudi Pro League championship, ending a seven-year wait for domestic silverware. It is also the fourth time in Al Nassr’s last five title-winning seasons that Al Hilal have finished as runners-up.
What Comes Next – World Cup 2026
For Ronaldo, the timing matters beyond club football. Portugal have called him up for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, to be held across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. It will be his sixth World Cup appearance. He arrives at the tournament as a champion, with confidence restored and questions answered.
The World Cup remains the one major trophy missing from a career that has collected almost everything else. Ronaldo is 41. This is widely expected to be his last opportunity. He goes into it having just scored twice in a title-winning performance in front of a packed stadium. The timing could not be better.
“Ronaldo, who was without a major club trophy since winning Serie A with Juventus in 2020, wept as he watched the final minutes from the bench.”
What it means for Saudi football
Ronaldo’s arrival in January 2023 opened the door to a wave of high-profile signings. Neymar, Karim Benzema, and others followed. The stated ambition has been to turn the Pro League into one of the world’s top five competitions, measured by player quality, stadium attendances, and commercial reach.
International interest has been described as muted compared to expectations. But a title race decided on the final day, in a packed stadium, with one of the most famous footballers in history scoring the decisive goals — that is the kind of story that travels. Saudi Arabia was confirmed as host of the 2034 FIFA World Cup in December 2024. Thursday night’s scenes at Al-Awwal Park were a reminder of what the ambition looks like in practice.
People also ask – Ronaldo and Al Nassr
Did Cristiano Ronaldo win the Saudi Pro League?
Yes. Cristiano Ronaldo won his first Saudi Pro League title with Al Nassr on 21 May 2026. Al Nassr beat Damac 4-1, finishing two points ahead of Al Hilal. Ronaldo scored twice in the match.
How many career goals does Cristiano Ronaldo have?
Cristiano Ronaldo reached 973 career goals with his brace against Damac on 21 May 2026 in the Saudi Pro League final day.
What was the score in Al Nassr vs Damac?
Al Nassr beat Damac 4-1. Mane scored first, Coman doubled the lead, Silla pulled one back from the penalty spot, then Ronaldo scored a free kick in the 63rd minute and added a second in the 81st.
When was Al Nassr’s last Saudi Pro League title before 2026?
Al Nassr’s last Saudi Pro League title before 2026 was in the 2018-19 season, a seven-year wait ended by Thursday’s victory.
Is Cristiano Ronaldo playing in the 2026 World Cup?
Yes. Portugal have called Ronaldo up for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. It will be his sixth World Cup appearance, a record for an outfield player.
Sources: Bolavip, beIN Sports, Morocco World News, Transfermarkt. Match statistics based on publicly available reporting. This article will be updated as further details emerge.
