Ronaldo lifts Saudi league title as Al Nassr end seven-year wait

RIYADH — Cristiano Ronaldo finally has his Saudi Arabian coronation. After years of pressure, scrutiny and near-misses, Al Nassr were crowned 2025-26 Roshn Saudi League champions on Thursday night, sealing their first league title in seven years with a commanding 4-1 victory against Damac FC at a rocking Al Awwal Park. **media[2711391]** For Ronaldo, it marked another defining chapter in a career that has now conquered England, Spain, Italy — and finally Saudi Arabia. The Portuguese superstar delivered exactly when it mattered most, scoring twice in front of a sold-out Riyadh crowd desperate to witness history. His stunning free-kick to make it 3-1 ignited emotional scenes inside the stadium before the five-time Ballon d’Or winner was reduced to tears late in the match. **media[2711392]** Alongside goals from Sadio Mané and Kingsley Coman, Ronaldo’s brace completed a title-winning performance worthy of the occasion.When the final whistle sounded, Al Awwal Park erupted. Players collapsed to the ground, supporters roared into the Riyadh night, and Ronaldo — moments after leading chants with the ultras’ giant drum — stood at the center of it all, finally holding the trophy he came to Saudi Arabia to win. The title completes a remarkable journey that began with Ronaldo’s groundbreaking move to Riyadh at the end of 2022 — a transfer that transformed the Saudi Pro League’s global image and opened the floodgates for football’s biggest names to follow. Since then, the league has exploded in popularity worldwide, but for Ronaldo personally, questions remained over whether his Saudi adventure would deliver silverware worthy of his legacy. Now it has. Although his 28 league goals were not enough to secure a third consecutive Golden Boot — that honor went to Julián Quiñones after his hat-trick for Al Qadsiah — Ronaldo’s focus was fixed solely on the championship medal around his neck. Al Nassr’s victory also rendered Al Hilal’s final-day result meaningless, crushing their rivals’ hopes of snatching the title at the death.For Al Nassr, the long wait is over. For Ronaldo, the Saudi chapter finally has its crowning moment.