All or nothing for Cristiano Ronaldo
Al Nassr go into the final day with the title in their hands, but one slip could reopen the door for Al Hilal.
Cristiano Ronaldo has no margin for error. The Portuguese star will chase glory in Saudi Arabia on the final day against Damac – who are fighting relegation – after Bento’s mistake turned the league upside down. A win would secure the title. A draw or defeat would leave them dependent on Al Hilal’s result against Al Fayha, with Jorge Jesus’ side unable to be crowned champions if they fail to win.
The Portuguese No 7 will go into this final game surrounded by several storylines: his pursuit of 1,000 career goals, his call-up for a sixth World Cup – an unprecedented record – and the defeat in Champions League Two against Gamba Osaka, a final that denied him another moment of glory.
On quality, the gap in this game is enormous, almost insulting. Al Nassr have risen to the top since Saudi soccer was boosted among a handful of clubs backed by the government. They are one of the fortunate teams able to bring together Iñigo Martínez, Brozovic, João Félix, Coman, Mané and Cristiano Ronaldo. It is something extraordinary in a league growing through sheer financial muscle.
Not winning the league, after a season in which they have led for 22 of the 32 rounds played, could be described as a disappointment – even a failure. But everything comes down to the decisive final game, the one that could push the 2023-24 runner-up finish and the third place in 2024-25 into the background and allow the club to celebrate a long-elusive success.
Cristiano Ronaldo has won titles wherever he has played, and he has left his mark everywhere too. In Saudi Arabia, he ended his first two seasons as his team’s best player and top scorer – and this campaign he has 28 goals. His relevance beyond the age of 40 remains beyond serious debate. But this time, it will not depend on him alone, nor on his ambition to keep expanding a legend that increasingly feels limitless.
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Al Nassr FC, ALN
Damac FC, DHA
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