The long wait is finally over. Cristiano Ronaldo has at last achieved what many thought might never happen — he has won the Saudi Pro League with Al-Nassr. While the news may be met with indifference or even resentment in some quarters, there’s no denying how much this victory clearly meant to the Portuguese superstar.

Despite being one of football’s most decorated players — a five-time Ballon d'Or winner with league titles in England, Spain, and Italy — Ronaldo celebrated Al-Nassr’s decisive win over Damac as though it were his first ever league success.

And that reaction is understandable. The eighth league title of his club career turned out to be one of the hardest to earn.

A lucrative move

When Ronaldo made his stunning switch to Al-Nassr in 2023, it was about more than football. The move was underpinned by a shared commercial goal. The Portugal captain was handed a record-breaking salary, while Al-Nassr expected huge profits thanks to the ‘Ronaldo Effect’.

Then-president Musalli Al-Muammar described the signing of Ronaldo as “commercially beneficial for us in terms of profitability.” Backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), the deal was part of a much larger national vision — one that aimed to change global perceptions of the Kingdom, diversify the economy, and modernise its infrastructure.

Ronaldo delivered on his end of the agreement. Off the pitch, he became a vocal ambassador for Saudi Arabia. On it, his presence and performances helped attract several top players to the Saudi Pro League (SPL). Yet, despite scoring prolifically, trophies remained elusive — and that deeply troubled him.

Mounting frustration

Ronaldo’s hunger for success has always been one of his defining traits. His professionalism, training discipline, and competitive drive are legendary. But in his first season with Al-Nassr, despite leading by example and scoring freely, he failed to secure any silverware — a bitter pill for a man obsessed with winning.

As the 2022–23 season progressed, Ronaldo’s frustration became increasingly visible. He was seen kicking water bottles, arguing with officials, throwing mini tantrums, and even clashing with opposition staff and fans. After a loss to Al-Hilal on April 18 at King Fahd International Stadium, he appeared to make a controversial gesture toward rival supporters chanting Lionel Messi’s name, sparking calls for disciplinary action.

‘The chapter is over…’

Speculation soon swirled about Ronaldo’s unhappiness. Reports suggested tension both personally and professionally. In truth, his main issue was with then-coach Rudi Garcia. Ronaldo was reportedly unimpressed by Garcia’s tactics and is believed to have played a key role in the Frenchman’s dismissal.

However, Al-Nassr’s fortunes did not improve significantly under Luis Castro or Stefano Pioli. Rumours even emerged about Ronaldo’s possible departure — perhaps to Al-Hilal — ahead of the Club World Cup in the United States. After a disappointing campaign that ended without Asian Champions League qualification, Ronaldo cryptically wrote, “The chapter is over.”

Yet, a month later, he reaffirmed his commitment to the club, penning what was widely reported as the most lucrative deal in sports history. “Same passion, same dream,” he posted. “Let’s make history together.” That promise soon began to take shape.

Jesus and ‘The Fab Four’

The turning point came with the arrival of coach Jorge Jesus, who had previously guided Al-Hilal to an unbeaten, record-breaking 100-point season. When Al-Hilal parted ways with him, Al-Nassr moved quickly to secure his services. Jesus later admitted that Ronaldo’s decision to stay played a major role in his own choice to join.

Al-Nassr’s transfer strategy complemented the coaching change. The club strengthened significantly by signing Kingsley Coman and Joao Felix, joining an already potent attack featuring Ronaldo and Sadio Mane. Dubbed ‘The Fab Four’, the quartet fired Al-Nassr to ten straight league wins at the start of the campaign.

“We’re all quality players, and because we understand each other, things work out well,” said Felix, who ended the season with 20 goals and a league-high 13 assists. “When one of us has an off day, the others step up. When all four of us are on form, we’re unstoppable in Saudi Arabia.”

But the momentum faltered early in the new year, as Al-Nassr went four matches without a win, dropping ten points in that span.

Ronaldo’s strike

Frustrated by the club’s lack of winter reinforcements, Ronaldo reportedly expected the management to act. When Al-Hilal swooped to sign Karim Benzema from Al-Ittihad, Ronaldo was said to be furious, believing some PIF-owned clubs had preferential treatment. In protest, he sat out two consecutive league games against Al-Riyadh and Al-Ittihad.

The SPL responded with a statement defending the league’s integrity, insisting all clubs operate under the same financial framework. “Cristiano has been fully engaged with Al-Nassr since his arrival,” the statement read. “But no individual — however significant — determines decisions beyond their own club.”

Ronaldo eventually ended his boycott on February 14, though he never explained his reasons publicly. His return was vital not just for Al-Nassr, but for the league’s image itself.

‘Who are we chasing?..’

As the title race intensified, rivals began to question officiating decisions. After Al-Ahli drew 1-1 with Al-Fayha on April 7, Ivan Toney expressed frustration over penalty calls, hinting at bias: “We know who. Who are we chasing?” he said. Team-mate Galeno went further, claiming the league wanted to “hand the trophy” to Ronaldo’s team.

Ronaldo dismissed such accusations. “I was the first to come here and others followed because of me. They should respect the project and the referees. They make mistakes — they are human,” he told Rio Ferdinand. “If the league wants to grow, it must have clear rules.”

He also suggested that Al-Nassr, not their rivals, faced more obstacles. “We know other clubs have power off the pitch. That’s a fact. But I’ll speak about it at the end of the season.”

Under pressure

Ronaldo answered critics in typical fashion, scoring in a vital 2-0 win over Al-Ahli. However, a subsequent 3-1 defeat to Al-Qadsiah reopened the title race. A dramatic own goal in a draw with Al-Hilal further fueled anxiety that Al-Nassr might collapse again.

“Nobody really believed Al-Nassr would win,” said GOAL Arabia’s Deputy Chief Editor Haytham Elhalmoush. “They had a reputation for falling short despite having big names like Ronaldo, Sadio Mane, and Marcelo Brozovic. People thought Ronaldo’s arrival would change that immediately, but it didn’t. They struggled to handle pressure in decisive moments.”

Those doubts deepened after Al-Nassr lost to Gamba Osaka in the AFC Champions League Two final. Ronaldo’s frustration was evident as he walked straight off the pitch without collecting his runners-up medal.

Mission accomplished

All of which made the final-day win over Damac all the more emotional. Knowing victory would seal the title, Al-Nassr delivered under pressure. Mane opened the scoring from a corner, Coman doubled the lead with a stunning strike, and after Damac pulled one back, Ronaldo took charge.

He made it 3-1 with a free-kick that curled into the bottom corner, then sealed the triumph with a close-range finish. As he walked back to the centre circle, tears welled up — a moment of pure release after years of effort. Substituted late on to a standing ovation, Ronaldo broke down in tears on the bench as Al-Nassr finally lifted the trophy.

While many may not regard the SPL title as a major milestone globally, for Ronaldo it was deeply personal. “People wondered if he really cared about Al-Nassr or just the money,” said Elhalmoush. “But his tears showed how much it meant. He’s invested in the club, even becoming a part-owner, and has embraced Saudi culture.”

“He still has personal goals — reaching 1,000 career goals and playing professionally with his son Cristiano Junior, who might join Al-Nassr’s senior squad soon. But above all, he’s a fierce competitor. That’s why even neutrals wanted him to succeed. Seeing him cry told you everything about his passion and commitment.”