Ronaldo closing in on long-awaited Saudi crown

TDT | Manama

Email : hussainm@newsofbahrain.com

The Saudi Pro League title will be decided tonight on the final day of the season, with Al Nassr and Al Hilal playing simultaneous fixtures that will determine where the trophy lands.

Al Nassr host Damac at Al Awwal Park, while Al Hilal travel to Al Fayha. Both matches kick off at 9pm local time, ensuring neither side will have real-time awareness of the other’s result as the title race unfolds.

Al Nassr start the night two points clear at the top, meaning the title could ultimately be decided by head-to-head record. Al Hilal, under Simone Inzaghi, hold the advantage in direct meetings this season after a 3–1 win and a 1–1 draw against their rivals. If the teams finish level on points, Al Hilal would be crowned champions.

The permutations are simple but tense. If Al Hilal win, Al Nassr must also win to secure the title. If Al Hilal drop points, Al Nassr would become champions with either a win or a draw. But if Al Nassr fail to win and Al Hilal take three points, the title will swing back to Al Hilal.

Damac, meanwhile, arrive with their own stakes. Sitting 15th on 29 points, just two above the relegation zone and level with 16th-placed Al-Riyadh, they remain firmly in the survival battle and cannot afford a slip.

Al Nassr were minutes away from potentially sealing the title in the previous round before a stoppage-time equaliser in the Riyadh derby kept the race alive. That moment, followed by a 1–0 home defeat to Gamba Osaka in the AFC Champions League Two final, has extended a difficult spell despite a squad featuring Cristiano Ronaldo, Sadio Mané and João Félix.

Tonight, however, offers a chance at redemption. Victory would secure Al Nassr a first Saudi Pro League title since 2018–19 and an 11th league championship in their history.