'After all that wait... finally!' Bond between Al Nassr & fans that sealed RSL crown | OneFootball

One of the indelible images of the 2025-26 Roshn Saudi League came after the campaign’s final ball had been kicked.

It was at a packed-out Al Awwal Park that Cristiano Ronaldo, not long before reduced to tears, took possession of the Al Nassr Ultras’ giant drum, settled in front of them and at the goal in which he’d sealed the club’s first RSL title in seven years, and led them in their trademark victory chant.

The moment felt so compelling. Conveying the deep connection between Al Nassr’s title winners and their fierce support that undeniably helped haul them over the line, it even prompted Ronaldo to post the point in time amid his own championship celebrations.

"Different backgrounds but a common passion!" read the remark on his official social media, accompanying a picture depicting Ronaldo positioned right at the centre of the jubilant scene.

To be fair, Al Nassr’s captain was simply reinforcing his respect for the club’s vociferous fan base.

"Nassrawis… what a season," read an earlier Ronaldo post. "From day one, we knew what we wanted and what it would take to get there. We worked, fought and gave everything in every training and every game.

"It wasn’t an easy road, but we did it together. Thank you for believing in us and standing by our side every step of the way."

Ronaldo’s reverence was echoed by almost every one of his Al Nassr teammates.

Speaking on the Al Awwal Park pitch in between Ronaldo’s drumming and the lifting of that long-awaited RSL trophy, compatriot and premier protagonist this season, Joao Felix, offered: "The fans are happy; they deserve it.

"The last title was seven years ago. no? So, yeah, they deserve a lot. They were with us all the time - and thank you to them."

Pausing briefly between selfies and salutes, when asked by the Saudi Pro League what the title meant to hm, defender Mohamed Simakan’s first response was telling.

"Big congratulations for our Nassrawi fans, and for our people, and for us too," the popular centre-back said.

"Today was not 11 on the pitch; it was 25,000 and more. 'Thank you very much for this season, we appreciate you so much'. Especially coming after we lost the [AFC Champions League] Two final.

"We were together, we stayed together - with the fans, with the players, the staff and everyone working for Al Nassr. And so, we say again, 'Thank you very much. I hope we have a lot more trophies together, Inshallah'."

Fellow Frenchman Kingsley Coman, scorer of Al Nassr's second goal in the title-securing 4-1 victory at home to Damac and whose debut season in Saudi has been superb, acknowledged also the supporters singing and dancing all around.

"You could see that today was a special day," smiled the summer signing from Bayern Munich. "We loved it. Today they gave us back all the hard work we did this season. And this emotion, this is the game that you want to feel it and they pushed us to win the league.

"Hopefully, next season, we share more moments like this."

--------

No doubt, those avid Al Nassr fans wish that, too. We caught up with a few on that decisive night against Damac who had willed their side to success, to gauge just what a first Saudi top-flight title since 2019 meant.

Abdulaziz Al Ghannam, a Riyadh resident recently graduated from architecture school:

"Finally! I can’t believe it yet. Maybe if I wake up tomorrow, I will believe it. But the emotion is at its best, Alhamdulillah, and we hope Inshallah next season we’re going to win the Asian Champions League [Elite] and the Roshn Saudi League.

"It means a lot. Last time we won the league, I was fifth or sixth grade. So, after all that wait and finally again a champion. And it means a lot also because, in this day, I graduated and I got to win the league.

"After I saw Ronaldo’s tears… obviously it means a lot to him because, when we lost in the previous years, all the blame went directly to Ronaldo. So, Alhamdulillah he won, and we won together."

Nasser Al Aziz, a telephone engineer from Riyadh, after a notable sigh of relief:

"Ah… Alhamdulillah. Ronaldo, finally. Thanks God. Thanks God. He deserves that; he deserves that.

"Seven years. You know Al Nassr is always suffering, every year he fights against Al Hilal, against Al Ittihad, Al Ahli, the referees in Asia... but, Al Hamdiulliah, we beat all of them."

Abdulaziz Al Shedoufi, Health Information Systems student at capital's Al Maarefa University:

"Oh, my goodness. Bro, you know, seven years is a long time, but Al Hamdiulliah, we did it.

"Next season? Asian Champions League. After Champions League, we wish to take Saudi Super Cup. After that we want to focus on who is [replacing manager Jorge Jesus. And we will see, maybe we will want to take some players, anyone I don’t care.

"[My Most Valuable Player?] Simakan. He helped us, he helped a lot. He did a lot of things, for himself, for his teammates. He is the best in this season."

Ahmed Al Malki, an accountant based in Riyadh:

"It’s an amazing feeling. We have waited many years for this moment. And everyone is very happy and proud. Winning the league means a lot to us; the team worked hard all season and deserve it.

"Seeing Cristiano Ronaldo lift the trophy after three and a half years with the club made the moment even more special. I’m very happy!!"