Anthony Nlebem
Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice as Al Nassr clinched the Saudi Pro League title with a dominant 4-1 win over Damac on Thursday, finally ending his long wait for domestic silverware in Saudi Arabia.
Al Nassr were crowned champions for the first time since 2019 after finishing top of the table on the final day of the season, edging Al-Hilal by two points despite late pressure from their closest rivals.
Karim Benzema’s Al-Hilal side had briefly harboured hopes of overtaking Al Nassr but ultimately finished second, unable to match Ronaldo’s team in the decisive run-in.
Ronaldo delivered a match-winning performance, scoring a trademark free-kick and a close-range finish in the final half-hour to secure the victory that sealed the title.
It marks the 41-year-old’s first major trophy with Al Nassr since his high-profile move to Saudi Arabia in January 2023 after leaving Manchester United.
The Portuguese forward had endured near misses in previous campaigns, including cup final heartbreaks, but finally lifted silverware after leading his side with 26 goals in 29 league appearances.
Ronaldo last won a club trophy with Juventus in 2020 and now adds the Saudi Pro League title to an extraordinary collection that includes league crowns in England, Spain and Italy, as well as five UEFA Champions League titles.
He was visibly emotional as he watched the closing stages from the bench, having played a decisive role throughout the campaign.
With over 664 million Instagram followers, Ronaldo also remains a global ambassador for Saudi football as the country continues to invest heavily in its sporting profile.
Anthony Nlebem
Head of Sports at BusinessDay Media, a seasoned Digital Content Producer, and FIFA/CAF Accredited Journalist with over a decade of sports reporting.Has a deep understanding of the Nigerian and global sports landscape and skills in delivering comprehensive and insightful sports content.
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