Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice as Al Nassr FC secured the Saudi Pro League title with a commanding 4–1 victory over Damac FC on Thursday.
The win ensured Al Nassr finished the season ahead of rivals Al Hilal SFC, clinching the league crown by just two points after a tightly contested title race.
Ronaldo, 41, delivered a decisive performance with a trademark free-kick and a close-range finish in the final half-hour, taking his team over the line on the last day of the season.
The Portuguese forward, who had not won a domestic league title since his time at Juventus in 2020, was visibly emotional as he watched the closing stages from the bench after securing the breakthrough victory.
The triumph adds the Saudi Pro League to Ronaldo’s decorated list of league titles in England, Spain, and Italy, alongside his five UEFA Champions League trophies.
Al Nassr had taken a 2–0 lead before briefly conceding, but Ronaldo restored control with a curling free-kick in the 63rd minute that beat the goalkeeper and found the far corner.
He later sealed the win with a powerful finish nine minutes from time after connecting with a cut-back inside the box.
The result also strengthens Ronaldo’s remarkable scoring record, with his career tally now standing close to 1,000 goals as he continues to chase further milestones.
Since joining Al Nassr in 2023, Ronaldo’s arrival has been seen as a catalyst for increased global attention on Saudi football, followed by other high-profile transfers into the league.
The Saudi Pro League, backed by the country’s Public Investment Fund, has invested heavily in football as part of broader efforts to boost tourism, diversify the economy, and expand global sporting influence.
Despite criticism over so-called “sportswashing” concerns, Saudi Arabia has continued to position itself as a major hub for global sports, including football, Formula 1, boxing, golf, and tennis.
Ronaldo’s time in Saudi Arabia has included both triumphs and setbacks, including cup final heartbreak and moments of frustration during the campaign, but Thursday’s win marks his first major league trophy in the kingdom.
The victory also comes as Ronaldo prepares for another international challenge, having been named in Portugal’s squad for a sixth World Cup appearance.
