The Saudi Pro League have officially unveiled the five-man shortlist for the prestigious 2025-26 Player of the Season award. As a dramatic title race between Al Nassr and Al Hilal reaches its climax on the final day, Cristiano Ronaldo and Ivan Toney headline the nominations alongside Joao Felix, Julian Quinones, and Ruben Neves in a competitive year.
Cristiano Ronaldo was unable to hide his fury on Saturday night as he sensationally snubbed the post-match trophy ceremony following Al-Nassr's AFC Champions League Two final defeat. The Portuguese superstar headed straight for the exit while his team-mates remained on the pitch to acknowledge their second-place finish and collect the runner-up medal.
Cristiano Ronaldoâs quest for further silverware with Al-Nassr ended in bitter disappointment on Saturday evening. The Saudi giants were stunned on home soil as Japanese side Gamba Osaka claimed a narrow victory to secure the AFC Champions League Two title.
Cristiano Ronaldo's relentless drive to be the best is the stuff of legend, but new details have emerged showing just how extreme his dedication was during his time at Real Madrid. While most players would spend a night partying after being crowned the best in the world, the Portuguese superstar had a very different approach to handling his success.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi would be âvery complementaryâ in the same team, Rene Meulensteen has told GOAL, with CR7 being backed for a move to MLS Cup winners Inter Miami if he lands the Saudi Pro League title with Al-Nassr. The Portuguese GOAT is closing in on another crown in the Middle East, which could lead to him exploring future options elsewhere.
Roberto Martinez has dismissed any suggestion that Cristiano Ronaldo's move to the Saudi Pro League has diminished his effectiveness on the international stage. Following a scouting mission to Riyadh, the Portugal head coach expressed his admiration for the veteran strikerâs enduring hunger and physical condition as he prepares for another World Cup.
Kylian Mbappe has opened up on his close bond with Cristiano Ronaldo, describing the Real Madrid legend as a genuine friend who has provided vital support during his transition to life in the Spanish capital. Despite facing heavy criticism for his recent form, the Frenchman remains grateful for the guidance offered by his childhood hero.
Cristiano Ronaldo was left visibly distraught on the Al-Nassr bench after a catastrophic late error from goalkeeper Bento denied the club their first Saudi Pro League title in seven years. The Portuguese superstar had been substituted late on against Al-Hilal and could only watch in horror as victory was snatched away in the dying seconds.
CR7 will have to wait a little longer for his first Saudi Pro League title after Al-Nassr let the chance to clinch the title early slip away against Al-Hilal.
Al-Nassr goalkeeper Bento Matheus made a comical 98th-minute error to gift Al-Hilal a dramatic 1-1 draw, delaying Cristiano Ronaldoâs Saudi Pro League title celebrations. A disastrous own goal from a powerful throw-in stunned fans, meaning Al-Nassr must now wait to secure their first championship in seven years in their upcoming fixture against Damac FC, despite currently leading the table by five points.
Portugal manager Roberto Martinez has opened up on the relentless drive of Cristiano Ronaldo. Approaching the twilight of his career, the legendary forward remains fiercely dedicated. Martinez insists the veteran is no longer motivated by financial rewards or adding to his vast trophy cabinet, but rather by an insatiable, unique hunger for continuous personal improvement.
Former France defender Frank Leboeuf has harshly criticised Cristiano Ronaldo, insisting that an impending Saudi Pro League title with Al-Nassr cannot match Lionel Messi's transformative impact at Inter Miami. The pundit claims heavy club investments, rather than individual brilliance, are truly responsible for any Middle Eastern silverware the Portuguese veteran secures.
Former Portugal manager Paulo Bento has admitted his relationship with Cristiano Ronaldo deteriorated during their time together with the national team. The coach says he refused to compromise his principles despite tensions with the star forward.
Brendan Rodgers has opened up on the touching history behind his viral post-match embrace with Cristiano Ronaldo. While the headlines focused on a significant result in the Saudi Pro League title race on May 3, a moment of warmth between the Al-Qadsiah boss and the Al-Nassr captain on the pitch drew plenty of curiosity from fans worldwide.
Cristiano Ronaldo Jr impressed during a recent training stint with Real Madrid's youth team, but a permanent return to Spain is not on the cards for the 2026-27 season. Instead, the teenager could be integrated into Al-Nassr's senior squad for pre-season, keeping his legendary father's dream of sharing the pitch with his son alive in Saudi Arabia.
Former Tottenham Hotspur forward Ronny Rosenthal has revealed the staggering moment the club's hierarchy decided against signing a young Cristiano Ronaldo. The north London side, currently fighting for their Premier League lives, are being haunted by years of recruitment failures that have seen them slide from Champions League regulars to genuine relegation candidates.
Cristiano Ronaldo could grace the 2030 World Cup, former Manchester United coach Rene Meulensteen has told GOAL, as a home finals in Portugal are ânot too farâ away for the history-making GOAT. The Al-Nassr superstar may be 41 years of age, but the evergreen frontman has proved over the course of his remarkable career that anything is possible and he likes nothing more than making a mockery of biological and sporting logic.
Cristiano Ronaldo has reached yet another extraordinary milestone in his illustrious career, netting his 100th goal in the Saudi Pro League during Al-Nassr's 4-2 victory over Al Shabab. The Portuguese legend was joined on the scoresheet by a rampant Joao Felix, who bagged a hat-trick to ensure the visitors moved five points clear at the top of the table.
Cristiano Ronaldo is still hoping to become a team-mate of eldest son Cristiano Junior, with former Manchester United colleague Louis Saha telling GOAL that it is âeasierâ for CR7 to live that âdreamâ than it was for LeBron James in NBA circles. One GOAT has already made professional sport a family business, with it possible that another could follow that lead.
Cristiano Ronaldo Jr could be set to snub the historic opportunity to play alongside his father at Al-Nassr in favour of a return to European football. The 15-year-old talent is reportedly prioritising his development at an elite academy as he looks to forge his own professional career away from the Middle East, with Real Madrid among the interested parties.
Arsenal and France legend Thierry Henry has weighed in on the eternal debate between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, refusing to separate the two icons. Speaking at a recent event, the former striker compared their enduring rivalry to tennis greats Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, insisting that both superstars exist in their own footballing galaxy.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Al-Nassr suffered a devastating blow to their silverware ambitions on Sunday night as they fell to a surprise 3-1 defeat against Al-Qadsiah. The result brings an end to their dominant run and hands the initiative back to their fiercest rivals in the race for the Saudi Pro League crown.
Antony has opened up regarding his turbulent spell at Manchester United, admitting that significant off-field struggles hampered his performances following his high-profile move from Ajax. The Brazilian winger, who has since found redemption in La Liga with Real Betis, also shared a revealing anecdote about feeling humbled by Cristiano Ronaldoâs elite physical condition.
Al Nassr FC
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