Al Nassr faced Al Fateh in the final match of the 2024–25 Saudi Pro League season, needing a win to keep their hopes alive for qualification to the next edition of the AFC Champions League Elite. With everything on the line, Cristiano Ronaldo opened the scoring in what could be his final appearance for the Saudi club.
Although Ronaldo’s contract runs through June 2025, speculation around his future with Al Nassr has intensified. Having missed out on qualification for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, this match could mark his last in an Al Nassr shirt—where the club has the chance to secure a spot in the AFC Champions League, a possibility revived when the Saudi Sports Arbitration Centre awarded the team three points due to a successful appeal involving Al Orobah.
In the 42nd minute, Ayman Yahya swung in a corner that first found Mohammed Al Fatil, whose flicked header landed near the six-yard box. Ronaldo was in the right place at the right time, nodding the ball home for his 25th league goal of the SPL season.
Ronaldo has consistently delivered against Al Fateh, one of his favorite opponents in Saudi Arabia. In five appearances against them—including this match—he has scored seven goals and registered one assist, proving to be a constant threat every time the two sides meet.
With today’s goal, Ronaldo reached the 936th of his professional career. While questions remain about his future, the 40-year-old continues to edge closer to the elusive 1,000-goal milestone.
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Al Nassr fall short of AFC Champions League qualification
Despite being given a last-minute lifeline, Al Nassr failed to capitalize and will miss out on the 2025–26 AFC Champions League. The team had been granted three additional points after lodging a formal complaint regarding Al Orobah goalkeeper Rafi Al Ruwaili’s eligibility. The appeal argued Al Ruwaili was not fully released from outside employment, violating league registration rules.
To qualify, Al Nassr needed to win and hope for Al Hilal to drop points in their final match against Al Quadsiyah. However, not only did Al Nassr fail to win, but Al Hilal also secured a 2–0 victory, sealing the final qualification spot and dashing any remaining hopes for Ronaldo and his team.
