Cristiano Ronaldo has finally secured a major trophy with Al-Nassr. The 41-year-old Portuguese star scored twice in a 4-1 victory over Damac, leading Al-Nassr to clinch the Saudi Pro League title. This achievement marks the team's first major trophy since Ronaldo joined the club more than three years ago.

Record-Breaking Achievement

Ronaldo lifted the trophy just two days after being named in Portugal’s roster for the World Cup, which would be his record-breaking sixth appearance at the tournament. With 143 goals, he is the all-time leading men's international goalscorer. The victory secured top spot for Al-Nassr, two points ahead of city rival Al-Hilal, which finished second despite completing the 34-game season undefeated.

Match Highlights and Emotional Victory

Ronaldo scored his 27th and 28th league goals of the season in the second half, after Sadio Mane and Kingsley Coman put Al-Nassr in control. Al-Nassr was leading 2-1 when Ronaldo restored his team's two-goal cushion with a curling free kick just past the hour mark. He added his second goal eight minutes from time, sealing the result and sparking celebrations. The five-time Ballon d'Or winner was taken off to a standing ovation with three minutes remaining.

It is Al-Nassr’s 11th league title and first since 1997. Ronaldo, who had been without a major club trophy since winning Serie A with Juventus in 2020, arrived in Saudi Arabia to great acclaim in 2023. He has added the Saudi championship to his English, Spanish, and Italian titles and five Champions League medals.

Ronaldo opened the door to a series of big-money Saudi signings when he joined Al-Nassr following an unhappy second spell at Manchester United. Neymar and Karim Benzema were among those to follow, as Saudi Arabia aims to turn the Pro League into one of the world's top five football competitions. In December 2024, Saudi Arabia was confirmed as the host of the 2034 World Cup, furthering its push to diversify its economy and attract business and tourists via the buzz of sports.

With a record 664 million Instagram followers, Ronaldo has been a highly visible ambassador. He was the Pro League's top scorer in his first two seasons, with his career tally now at 973. However, his Saudi stint has not always been smooth. In 2024, he was left in floods of tears when Al-Nassr lost the King's Cup final to Al-Hilal on penalties, denying him his first Saudi title.

This season, Ronaldo disappeared from Al-Nassr's line-up for three games in an apparent protest at Benzema's transfer to rival team Al-Hilal. Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr were among the stable of Saudi teams owned by the Public Investment Fund, the country's $900 billion sovereign wealth fund. Before Thursday, Ronaldo's only silverware with Al-Nassr was the 2023 Arab Club Champions Cup. He was also disappointed on Saturday when Al-Nassr lost to Gamba Osaka in the AFC Champions League Two final.