Cristiano Ronaldo lifting the Saudi Pro League trophy became the moment Saudi Arabian football had long been waiting for. More than three years after arriving at Al-Nassr following his departure from Manchester United, the Portuguese forward finally secured the domestic title he had been brought in to win.
The championship was confirmed on the final day of the season as Al-Nassr defeated Damac 4-1, with Ronaldo scoring twice to help his side finish ahead of rivals Al-Hilal. The success ended the club’s wait for a league crown since 2019 and marked the 11th title in Al-Nassr’s history.
Ronaldo recently reached 100 goals in the Saudi Pro League and has now scored 129 times for Al-Nassr across all competitions. Despite his impressive numbers since joining the club in December 2022, the absence of a major domestic trophy had remained a noticeable gap until now.
The triumph also added another chapter to Ronaldo’s personal collection of league championships. After winning titles in England with Manchester United, Spain with Real Madrid, and Italy with Juventus, this became the eighth league success of his career.
Ronaldo’s arrival transformed Saudi football landscape
Ronaldo’s transfer to Saudi Arabia helped trigger a wave of international stars moving to the country. Following his arrival, players including Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kante, Riyad Mahrez, Sadio Mane, and Neymar joined the Saudi Pro League’s leading clubs.
In 2023, Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund took control of Al-Nassr, Al-Hilal, Al-Ahli, and Al-Ittihad, although a majority stake in Al-Hilal was later sold to Kingdom Holding Company, led by Prince Alwaleed bin Talal. The changes further strengthened the league’s global profile and financial power.
This season developed into the most competitive campaign since Ronaldo’s move. Al-Ahli, driven by Ivan Toney’s goals, and Brendan Rodgers’ Al-Qadsiah both challenged for the title before falling away late in the race, leaving Al-Nassr and Al-Hilal to battle for the championship.
Their decisive meeting on 12 May was described as potentially the biggest league match in Saudi Arabian football history and was reportedly watched in more than 180 countries. Al-Nassr appeared ready to celebrate victory after taking a 1-0 lead deep into stoppage time, only for goalkeeper Bento to spill a routine catch into his own net in the 97th minute, leaving the match level at 1-1 and the title fight unresolved until the final round.
Debate and uncertainty continue around Saudi project
Although Al-Nassr eventually secured the championship comfortably, the season was not free from controversy. Ronaldo missed two league matches in February amid reports concerning disagreements over how the Public Investment Fund operated the club compared with Al-Hilal.
At the same time, some rival players claimed Al-Nassr and Ronaldo received favourable treatment. Al-Ahli striker Ivan Toney and Brazilian winger Galeno were among those who criticised the league, while Ronaldo himself later responded by saying repeated public complaints about referees and league management were damaging for the competition.
Questions have also emerged recently around Saudi Arabia’s broader sports strategy. In April, the Public Investment Fund announced it would stop financing LIV Golf after the current season, while the 2029 Winter Asian Games planned in Saudi Arabia were postponed indefinitely earlier this year.
Reports have additionally suggested that the WTA Finals could leave the country once the existing agreement expires. Meanwhile, football transfer speculation involving major international stars is no longer dominating headlines in the same way it did during 2023.
Focus shifts toward the future after landmark success
According to sports business professor Simon Chadwick, Al-Nassr’s title may be viewed in Riyadh as proof that the investment in Ronaldo and the wider football strategy has worked. He also suggested the achievement reinforces the belief that rapid sporting success can be achieved through a combination of domestic planning and overseas recruitment.
However, Chadwick noted that Al-Nassr must continue collecting trophies, including continental honours, if the club hopes to reach the stature of some of its regional rivals. The league title was especially important after Al-Nassr lost the AFC Champions League Two final to Japan’s Gamba Osaka last weekend.
Transfer policy within Saudi football has also begun to evolve. While clubs still spend heavily, there is now greater focus on signing younger players with resale value rather than concentrating entirely on established veterans. Al-Qadsiah spent around £57m on Mateo Retegui last summer, while Al-Hilal paid about £46m for Darwin Nunez.
Sources in Riyadh indicate funds remain available for elite names such as Mohamed Salah, who is wanted by Al-Ittihad after leaving Liverpool this summer, though only under the right financial conditions. For some observers, Ronaldo’s title may represent validation of Saudi Arabia’s huge spending; for others, it could mark the closing chapter of the era when clubs spent around £700m in a single transfer window.
For now, though, Al-Nassr supporters and Ronaldo’s worldwide following can celebrate a long-awaited achievement that finally delivered the domestic title both player and club had chased for years.