Al Nasr won the Saudi Professional League for the first time since Cristiano Ronaldo joined the club in 2022, as they defeated Damac 4-1 on Thursday to clinch the title.
Cristiano Ronaldo could not contain his emotions (Image: X/thmanyahsports)
A relieved Cristiano Ronaldo broke down in tears before finally clinching the Saudi Pro League title. Al Nasr were crowned champions on Thursday with a 4-1 home win against Damak, with the captain’s brace.
Ronaldo, 41, had been patiently waiting for his first major trophy in Saudi Arabia, losing in Saturday’s cup final. It was the second heartbreak the Portugal national team captain has experienced in the past five days.
In the league match against second-placed Al Hilal, the penultimate team, the team was seconds away from clinching the title, but allowed a tying goal in stoppage time due to a defensive error. Ronaldo and his teammates then had to wait until the final day, but now they have the trophy in their hands.
Goals from Sadio Mane and Kingsley Coman put Al Nasr ahead, but Damak threatened to pull a comeback with a goal just before the hour mark. However, less than five minutes later, Ronaldo scored the first of two goals from a free kick, sealing the victory.
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Manager Jorge Jesus brought Ronaldo on as a substitute in the final stages, but Ronaldo could be seen weeping while sitting on the bench. With Ronaldo’s two goals, his career goals total reached 974, and he continues to chase the 1,000-goal milestone.
Ronaldo has now won eight league titles during his illustrious career. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner signed for Al Nasr in December 2022 after an acrimonious exit from Manchester United.
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Although everything didn’t go to plan in his first two seasons, third time proved to be lucky as Jesus led Al Nasr to the title in his first season in charge. It will also be the 71-year-old’s last move as he has decided to leave the Riyadh club when his contract expires next month.
Ronaldo signed a new lucrative two-year contract last summer and will remain in Saudi Arabia until 2027. But he knows retirement is not far away.
Cristiano Ronaldo ends his long wait for a big trophy in Saudi Arabia (Image: Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images)
Last month, Ronaldo admitted: “The end of my career is approaching… Let’s enjoy every game. I will continue to play not only for this generation, but also for the previous generation and the next generation.”
“Even now, nearing the end of my career, I enjoy it every day, every game, every year. That’s true. My career has been brilliant and I want to keep it that way. I still enjoy it, I continue to score goals… but most of all it’s about winning.”
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