Finally, Cristiano Ronaldo also touched the Saudi Pro League title with Al-Nassr - a moment of special significance even for one of the most successful players in football history.
With five Golden Balls and a series of championships in England, Spain and Italy, Ronaldo is already used to the nights of lifting the trophy. But the way the Portuguese superstar celebrated the decisive victory over Damac shows how valuable this title is to him.
Many people may be indifferent to the championship in Saudi Arabia, even considering it a less prestigious achievement than what Ronaldo has achieved in the past. However, for CR7 himself, this is one of the most difficult titles to win in his career.
Since joining Al-Nassr at the end of 2022, Ronaldo has continuously faced pressure and doubts about his decision to move to the Saudi Pro League to play. For more than two years, he has approached the title many times but missed the decisive moment.
Therefore, the first domestic championship with Al-Nassr is not simply adding a trophy to Ronaldo's massive collection. It is like affirming that at the age of 41, he still has the ability to make a difference and lead a team to glory.
That is also the reason Ronaldo celebrated emotionally, as if this was his first title in his illustrious career.
In an atmosphere full of pressure and skepticism, Al-Nassr entered the final match of the Saudi Pro League season against Damac with the only task: to win to be champion. And this time, they did not miss the opportunity.
Sadio Mane opened the score from a corner kick before Kingsley Coman doubled the gap with a beautiful shot from outside the penalty area. Although Damac narrowed the score to 1-2 from the penalty spot, Ronaldo once again became the central character.
The Portuguese superstar increased the score to 3-1 with a half-cross, half-shot finish that made the ball penetrate the crowded defense and go into the low corner of the goal. Just 9 minutes before the end of the match, Ronaldo completed a double with a close-range tap-in, officially deciding the championship for Al-Nassr.
In the moment of returning to the middle circle after the second goal, Ronaldo could not restrain his emotions. He choked up and realized that the journey that lasted more than three years finally ended with his first major title in Saudi Arabia.
Right before the match ended, Ronaldo left the field amidst resounding applause from the audience and burst into tears. Many outsiders were surprised by those tears. But for Ronaldo, the Saudi Pro League championship is clearly much more meaningful than the way the football world perceives it.
Of course, Ronaldo still has personal goals, such as the milestone of 1,000 goals or the dream of playing professionally with his son Cristiano Jr., who may be promoted to the Al-Nassr first team this summer. But above all, Ronaldo is still a player obsessed with victory.
