Al-Hilal clinched the Saudi Pro League title for the second consecutive season on Saturday, despite Cristiano Ronaldo's impressive performance for Al-Nassr.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Al-Nassr missed out on the Saudi Pro League title for the second consecutive season when arch-rivals Al-Hilal secured first place with a convincing 4-1 victory over Al-Hazm on Saturday.
The triumph marked Al-Hilal's record-extending 19th league title, leaving them 12 points clear of Al-Nassr with just three games remaining in the season.
Despite Al-Nassr's valiant efforts and Ronaldo's remarkable goal-scoring exploits since joining the club in December 2022, Al-Hilal proved too strong once again.
The match-winning performance for Al-Hilal was orchestrated by Aleksandar Mitrovic, who netted two goals after his summer move from Fulham in the English Premier League. Serbian compatriot Sergej Milinkovic-Savic also found the back of the net, while Ahmed Al-Juwaid's own goal sealed the deal.
With the title out of reach, Ronaldo remains on course to claim the top scorer award this season. On Friday, the Portuguese superstar scored his 33rd goal in a 3-2 win at Al-Okhdood, extending his lead over Mitrovic in second place to nine goals.
Ronaldo is now just one goal shy of the league record set by Abderrazak Hamdallah in 2019, highlighting his continued prowess as a goal-getter at the age of 38.
Despite missing out on the league trophy, Ronaldo has made a significant impact at Al-Nassr, guiding them to the Saudi Super Cup title and helping them challenge for domestic dominance.
Moreover, his presence in Saudi Arabia has generated immense publicity for the league and the sport in the region.
Al-Hilal's triumph is a testament to their consistent performance and quality, demonstrating their enduring status as one of the most formidable teams in Asia.
The title race in the Saudi Pro League has been captivating this season, with Al-Nassr and Al-Ittihad both challenging Al-Hilal for supremacy.
However, Al-Hilal's victory against Al-Hazm confirms their unmatched dominance, extending their record of league conquests to 19 and adding another chapter to their illustrious history.
