Four years after joining Al Nassr, Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo is one win away from his first major trophy with the Saudi outfit. With only two games remaining, Al Nassr sit atop the Saudi Pro League with five points clear of their rivals, Al Hilal. Ronaldo's journey towards the trophy might prove emotional, as he could either secure his first crown in the Middle East or experience heartbreak on his last appearance in the league.
Four years after he joined Al Nassr , Cristiano Ronaldo is finally within striking distance of his first major trophy with the Saudi outfit.in December 2022, but for all his goalscoring efforts, he could not lead his team to silverware.
The club finished as the runners-up in his first two campaigns, and then settled for third place last season. It might’ve taken longer than expected, but Al Nassr are now in pole position to win the Saudi Pro League for the first time since signing Ronaldo. With only two games remaining in 2025–26, they sit atop the table with 82 points, five clear of second place Al Hilal.
The two powerhouses are set to face off on Tuesday in what promises to be a title-deciding contest, one that could end with tears for Ronaldo either way. Cristiano Ronaldo is one win away from the Saudi Pro League title. | Fayez Nureldine/AFP/Getty Images The pathway to silverware is simple for Al Nassr: Ronaldo and Co. need to defeat Al Hilal at Al-Awwal Park on Tuesday and the title is theirs.
Three points for the league-leaders would put them at 85 points and keep their biggest competitors on 77. Although Al Hilal have a game in hand, they still would not be able to catch 85 points even if they win their last two games of the season. If Al Nassr stumble on Tuesday and only collect a point against the visitors, all hope is not lost.
Jorge Jesus’s men would just need to win their one remaining match against Damac FC to secure the league title no matter what the title-chasers accomplish in their final two matches. Should Al Hilal topple Al Nassr, then the race gets dicey for Ronaldo.
Simone Inzaghi’s squad would dwindle the gap to just two points, and with a game in hand, they could steal the Saudi crown from Ronaldo as long as they win their remaining matches against Neom SC and Al-Fayha. Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema won four Champions League titles together at Real Madrid.
| Angel Martinez/Real Madrid/Getty Imagesteammates will square off in the biggest match of the season, and the victor will walk away with much more than just bragging rights. The occasion does not mark the first time the two forwards have clashed in the Saudi Pro League, but it is the first time since Benzema joined Al Hilal in the winter transfer window, a move that led Ronaldo towindow compared to the treatment given to rival clubs Al Hilal, Al Ittihad and Al Ahli, which are owned by the same fund.
Benzema’s move to Al Hilal headlined the disagreement, but Ronaldo eventually returned to action and got his team to the top of the table. The 41-year-old has found the back of the net 26 times in the Saudi top-flight this season, scoring nine more league goals than Benzema. On Tuesday night, though, the only thing that will matter is which player comes out on the winning side. Amanda Langell is a Sports Illustrated FC freelance writer and editor.
Born and raised in New York City, her first loves were the Yankees, the Rangers and Broadway before Real Madrid took over her life. Had it not been for her brother’s obsession with Cristiano Ronaldo, she would have never lived through so many magical Champions League nights 3,600 miles away from the Bernabéu. When she’s not consumed by Spanish and European soccer, she’s traveling, reading or losing her voice at a concert.
Cristiano Ronaldo Al Nassr Saudi Pro League Third Place Runners-Up Al Hilal Runway To Silverware Title-Deciding Contest
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