One of the most emotional moments of the Portuguese superstar’s glittering career came as he shed tears of joy following Al-Nassr’s first Saudi Pro League title – their 11th as a club – following a crushing 4-1 victory over Damac, which ensured they pipped rivals Al-Hilal to the trophy by two points. And this moment came as no surprise to the world of football, following what proved to be an exciting and dramatically contested title race that will remain forever etched into the hearts of every Al-Nassr fan.
The talisman was the undeniable hero of the final game of the season, as he scored the two goals that clinched the championship. As the talisman left the pitch to the roar of the crowd, he broke down in tears on the bench – a moment that the former Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus talisman hadn’t shown the world before. His arrival in the Middle East came with massive pressure after a string of heartbreak cup defeats and second-place finishes, and the sheer relief of winning his first major title with his new side shone through.
Despite the tears, his celebrations quickly turned to unadulterated euphoria when the iconic star grabbed a drum from a fan in the stadium and began his team-mates and fans singing with his commanding and inspirational leadership. He looked like a kid again as he took centre stage, leading a brilliant and utterly explosive celebration with his colleagues, to an ecstatic audience of thousands. It was a moment, more than any other, that showed us the passionate, all-consuming nature of the former Los Blancos attacker.
They would never remember this night ever again, as they celebrated their first title since 2019 with flair and elegance under Jorge Jesus’ supervision. The coach, alongside Ronaldo, had an exceptional season; organising the team immaculately and encouraging the best out of his whole squad. But the captain, on the other hand, had truly shone in all aspects as he led from the front from start to finish, as his sheer will and determination were the driving forces behind the title success.
His 28 goals in the league was phenomenal this season, but he couldn’t quite get to 33 – the number Julian Quinones needed to win the Golden Boot, a fact that only seems like a small blip when looking at what has been a historic season for the five-time Ballon d’Or winner. It represents his eighth league trophy of his career, spread across four different continents. This title marks another astonishing chapter for a player that, once again, continues to defy expectations, even at 39 years old.
