Seven years after its last Saudi Pro League triumph, Al Nassr is champion of Saudi Arabia once again, with Cristiano Ronaldo and his team-mates lifting the trophy on Thursday night.For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app.A 4-1 victory over Damac secured the title for Jorge Jesus’ side, with Ronaldo scoring twice on the decisive night at al-Awwal Park. It meant Al Nassr finished on 86 points, two ahead of an unbeaten Al Hilal side whose nine draws proved costly in one of the tightest Saudi title races in recent years.Ultimately it was Al Nassr that triumphed – adding an 11th domestic crown to its trophy cabinet and handing captain Ronaldo the eighth league title of a glittering career. The Portuguese superstar has now won the domestic championship in England, Spain, Italy and Saudi Arabia.Here, Al Arabiya English explores exactly how Ronaldo and Al Nassr won the 2025-26 Saudi Pro League title.
Jesus’ winning mentality
When Jorge Jesus arrived at Al Awwal Park last summer, Al Nassr knew it was hiring a coach who understands how to manage title races. His previous success with Al Hilal in an ‘Invincible’ 2023-24 campaign had already established him as one of the Saudi Pro League’s elite coaches, with Jesus’ CV also including three Portuguese Primeira Ligas with Benfica and a Serie A title with Flamengo in Brazil.This job wasn’t about reinventing the wheel for Jesus, who is an adept tactical operator but, importantly in the context of Al Nassr, also a superb man-manager. Indeed, his greatest contribution at Al Nassr was perhaps emotional rather than tactical – helping a group of players that has consistently fallen short in recent seasons to finally get over the finish line.Throughout the campaign, Al Nassr looked calmer and more controlled than before. There was less chaos in matches that became tense and far fewer moments where the team appeared to lose structure after setbacks.That composure became particularly important after January’s damaging run of three straight league defeats against Al Ahli, Al Hilal and Al Qadsiah. The title race appeared to be slipping away, but Jesus steadied the side quickly and oversaw a run of defensive consistency that rebuilt momentum. He also created a more balanced team overall. Al Nassr still possessed one of the league’s strongest attacks, but no longer looked dependent on high-scoring games every week.
