Six years after their previous title win, Al-Nassr are once again champions of Saudi Arabia. A dominant 4-1 victory over Damac on the final matchday of the season secured the Saudi Pro League title for the Riyadh giants, sparking celebrations across Al-Awwal Park after one of the most dramatic title races in recent memory.
With both Al-Nassr and Al-Hilal entering the final day still capable of lifting the trophy, Riyadh was divided throughout the evening. But while Al-Hilal completed a 1-0 victory over Al-Fayha, it ultimately proved meaningless as Al-Nassr took care of business themselves.
For Damac, however, the night ended in heartbreak. Combined with Al-Riyadh’s 1-0 victory over Al-Okhdood, the defeat confirmed the team’s relegation to the Saudi First Division.
The evening kicked off with early drama from Al-Majma’ah. Sergej Milinkovic-Savic sent Sultan Mandash through on goal for Al-Hilal’s opener against Al-Fayha inside four minutes.
Moments later, relegation rivals Al-Riyadh took the lead against Al-Okhdood through Toze, leaving Damac needing at least a draw against Al-Nassr to preserve their top-flight status.
That scenario forced Al-Nassr into a patient battle against a deep Damac setup. The visitors packed the center with a defensive 5-4-1 shape, limiting clear openings during the early stages.
The first quarter-hour passed without an Al-Nassr effort on target, before Sadio Mane was denied by Damac goalkeeper Kewin in the 20th minute with a dangerous chance outside the six-yard box.
But just as they had against Al-Hilal a few weeks before, Al-Nassr found their breakthrough from a set piece after the cooling break. Joao Felix delivered a corner that Mane powered home, sending Al-Awwal Park into celebration.
Al-Nassr followed with a second in the 52nd minute, with Kingsley Coman doubling the lead with a crisp strike from outside the area, placing the hosts firmly on course for the title.
Damac briefly reignited tension, however, when Mohamed Simakan was penalized for handball in the area six minutes later. Morlaye Sylla converted from the spot to pull one back for the visitors.
The scare almost worsened moments later when the goalkeeper Bento was forced into a vital save after a Damac counterattack, preserving Al-Nassr’s advantage.
But Ronaldo ensured there would be no collapse.
The Portuguese international restored calm with a superb free-kick from a tight angle on the left flank, extending Al-Nassr’s lead, while Al-Hilal simultaneously failed to add a second against Al-Fayha after Ruben Neves saw a penalty saved by Orlando Mosquera.
From then on, the atmosphere inside Al-Awwal Park shifted from tension to celebration.
Ronaldo added to the celebrations with his second goal of the night in the 81st minute, powering home before breaking into tears after completing his brace. Al-Awwal Park rose as one in a standing ovation when the captain was substituted for Abdullah Al-Hamdan six minutes later.
After years of near misses and disappointment, Al-Nassr finally reclaimed the league title that had eluded them since 2019. For Ronaldo, it marks the first Saudi Pro League title of his Al-Nassr career ahead of what is expected to be his final World Cup campaign with Portugal this summer.
The triumph also marks another landmark achievement for Jorge Jesus. The Portuguese manager becomes the first coach since Gabriel Calderon in 2011 to win the Saudi Pro League title with two different clubs, having previously guided Al-Hilal to the championship in 2024 before now repeating the feat with Al-Nassr.
