Cristiano Ronaldo ended his three-year trophy drought in Saudi football as his Al-Nassr side emerged as Saudi Pro League champions on the final day of the 2025-26 season. The 41-year-old was at the double for the Knights of Najd as they defeated Damac 4-1 to secure a first league title since 2019.
Five-time Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldo found it challenging to conquer Saudi football, having won league titles in England, Spain, and Italy in the past. He has been in Saudi Arabia since January 2023 following the termination of his contract with Manchester United in November 2022.
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Cristiano Ronaldo won the Golden Boot in each of his first two full seasons in Saudi Arabia but finished in third place in the race for this year’s edition of the award. He scored 28 goals in 30 appearances in the league this season, while Al-Qadsiah ace Julian Quinones won the award with 33 goals in 31 league games. Ronaldo finished the season with 30 goal contributions in as many games for Jorge Jesus’ side.
The Portugal international played in all but four of his side’s league games this season, missing two games in protest of the state of his club’s management and two more through injury. He made himself absent for games against Al-Riyadh and Al-Ittihad in February and missed games against Neom and Al-Khaleej with a hamstring injury in March.
Ronaldo has been a shining light for his Saudi club, having scored 127 goals in 148 appearances for the club, and only needed silverware to further affirm his status at Al-Nassr. He has now won eight league titles in his career and a total of 34 career titles after ending his club drought that dated back to his time at Manchester United. He has scored 102 league goals in Saudi Arabia and holds the record for the most goals scored in a single league season with his 35 goals in the 2023-24 season.
Cristiano Ronaldo has worked with four permanent managers in his time in Saudi Arabia, with Rudi Garcia having been in charge when he joined the club. Luis Castro took over ahead of the 2023-24 season and left after he led the side to finish second. Stefano Pioli was in charge for the 2024-25 season and led the side to finish third before leaving the club last summer, allowing Jorge Jesus to take over.
Cristiano Ronaldo fires Al-Nassr to Saudi Pro League title with brace against Damac
Cristiano Ronaldo ensured that Al-Nassr became champions of Saudi Arabia for the first time in seven years with a brace against Damac. The Knights of Najd claimed a 4-1 victory in front of their fans to secure the league title this season.
Facing a must-win game against Damac after the disappointment of losing the AFC Champions League Two final to Gamba Osaka, Al-Nassr went ahead through Sadio Mane in the first half. Kingsley Coman added a second for Jorge Jesus’ side after just seven second half minutes.
Damac pulled one back in the 58th minute through Morlaye Sylla after a penalty was awarded to them for a handball by Mohamed Simakan. Cristiano Ronaldo then restored his side’s two-goal cushion in the 63rd minute with a direct free-kick before applying a close-range finish to round off the scoring.
Edited by Sulayman Salahudeen