Cristiano Ronaldo ends Al-Nassr drought, from tantrums to tears after Saudi Pro League triumph | OneFootball

Cristiano Ronaldo finally won the Saudi Pro League with Al-Nassr by beating Damac. The 41-year-old wept as the drought ended.

According to Goal.com, this first Al-Nassr trophy carried real weight after his 2023 move, which blended football aims with commercial goals under Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund.

Goals came easily, trophies did not, and frustrations flared in the 2022-23 run-in. Disillusioned with Rudi Garcia, he was linked to the coach’s April 2023 exit, and results under Luis Castro likewise underwhelmed. After missing Asian Champions League qualification he hinted at leaving, then re-signed weeks later on a record deal.

Mid-season, Ronaldo expected reinforcements. As Al-Hilal signed Karim Benzema from Al-Ittihad, he refused to play successive league games against Al-Riyadh and Al-Ittihad, and the SPL stressed clubs act independently under the same financial rules.

Complaints about officiating followed, with Ivan Toney lamenting two clear penalties against Al-Ahli and Galeno alleging bias towards Al-Nassr. Ronaldo urged respect for referees, argued others wield power off the pitch, and said he would speak fully after the season.

He struck in a key 2-0 win over Al-Ahli, then a 3-1 loss to Al-Qadsiah reopened the race before a late Bento own goal denied Al-Nassr against Al-Hilal.

Against Damac, Sadio Mane scored from a corner and Coman added a second before a penalty cut the deficit. Ronaldo made it 3-1 with a cross-cum-shot into the bottom right, then finished from close range with nine minutes left, breaking down as the title was secured.

Source: Goal.com