Cristiano Ronaldo has made clear his determination to win the Saudi Pro League title with Al Nassr, brushing aside criticism that followed the club’s 2-0 victory over Al Ahli as the championship race enters its final stretch.
The result sparked significant controversy, with Al Ahli players publicly questioning the match officiating and alleging that referees displayed bias in favour of Ronaldo’s side. The Portuguese forward, however, kept his attention firmly on the prize rather than the surrounding noise.
“The fight for the league title is going to be until the end,” Ronaldo said following the match. “This was a very difficult game. We knew we were going to play one of the most difficult teams in the league.”
With just four matches remaining in the Saudi Pro League season, Al Nassr sit eight points clear of Al Hilal, who retain a game in hand. Should Al Nassr hold their advantage, it would mark the club’s first league title since 2019 — and Ronaldo’s first Saudi Pro League championship since joining the Riyadh-based club in December 2022.
Ronaldo’s opening goal in the win over Al Ahli was another milestone moment in a career full of them, taking his total career tally to an extraordinary 970 goals across all competitions. The 40-year-old shows no signs of winding down, having been a consistent contributor to Al Nassr’s title charge throughout the campaign.
Reflecting on what continues to drive him at this stage of his career, Ronaldo spoke about the broader significance of his longevity in the sport.
“For me it’s an honour, that’s why I continue to play, not just for this present generation but for the previous one and the ones to come,” he said. “The career I’ve had has been brilliant and keeps going. The most important thing for me is to continue. I continue to enjoy it, to score goals. But the most important thing is to win. We really want to win the league.”
The officiating controversy surrounding the Al Ahli fixture is the latest flashpoint in an increasingly intense title race. Al Ahli’s players were vocal in their dissatisfaction after the defeat, a reaction that underlines the competitive pressure building across the division as the season approaches its conclusion.
For Ronaldo, who has won league titles in Portugal, England, Spain, and Italy across a career spanning more than two decades, a Saudi Pro League winner’s medal would add yet another domestic championship to one of football’s most decorated individual records. Al Nassr’s previous league triumph came seven years ago, and the club will be eager to reclaim that status with their marquee signing finally delivering silverware.
Al Hilal’s game in hand means the title is not yet mathematically secure, and any slip from Al Nassr in the remaining fixtures could yet reopen the race. However, with an eight-point cushion and Ronaldo in form, Al Nassr remain firmly in the driving seat.
