Cristiano Ronaldo and Al Nassr will win the Saudi Pro League 2025/26.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Al Nassr have officially been crowned champions of the Saudi Pro League (SPL) 2025/26 season after a decisive victory against Damac in the final round. At the age of 41, the Portuguese superstar not only ended his title drought in Saudi Arabia but also set new historical milestones for his career spanning more than two decades.

Riyadh's fiery night and the tears of a legend.

The 2025/26 Saudi Pro League title race was only decided in the final minutes of the 34th round. Al Nassr entered the match against Damac under pressure to secure all three points to maintain their slender two-point lead over chasing rivals Al Hilal. With Al Hilal having already secured their place with a 1-0 victory over Al Fayha, all eyes were on the stadium in Riyadh.

Here, Cristiano Ronaldo once again proved the value of a great star in crucial matches. He scored both goals for Al Nassr, including a spectacular free-kick. After the final whistle, the image of the 41-year-old superstar unable to hold back tears of joy became a symbol of this championship. This is CR7's eighth national league title, spanning five different countries including England, Spain, Italy, Portugal, and Saudi Arabia.

Cristiano Ronaldo's impressive statistics in the SPL 2025/26:

• Goal:The brace in his final match brought his career total to 973 goals.
• Title:This is his 8th national championship title after 24 years of professional competition.
• Impact:He led Al Nassr through the pressure from rival Al Hilal to claim the championship.

Overcoming pressure from refereeing controversies.

Al Nassr's journey to the title was far from smooth, constantly facing questions about favoritism in match officiating. Statistics show that Al Nassr was awarded 11 penalties this season, the highest in the league, leading to strong reactions from direct rivals such as Al Ahli.

Al Ahli midfielder Galeno even publicly criticized the league on social media, implying a lack of transparency in favoring a single individual. In response to these accusations, Jesus Arroyo, advisor to the SPL CEO, asserted that the referees were doing a good job in an emotionally charged and highly competitive league. He emphasized that controversies surrounding refereeing are an unavoidable part of world football.

The vision for the 2026 World Cup and the transformation of the Saudi Pro League.

Winning the 2025/26 season would be a resounding affirmation of Ronaldo's influence in the Middle East. With 973 goals, the historic milestone of 1,000 goals is closer than ever. His current contract with Al Nassr runs until 2027, opening up the prospect of the striker continuing to lead the Portuguese national team in the 2026 World Cup.

Besides the allure of the number 7, the Saudi Pro League is also showing strong progress in professionalization. The application of strict financial regulations similar to the Premier League's Financial Fair Play (PSR) rules and the attraction of top-performing stars like Theo Hernandez shows that the league is no longer a "retirement home" but has become a truly competitive destination. Ronaldo didn't just come to promote his image; he came to win and set new professional standards for Gulf football.