Former Al-Nassr manager Rudi Garcia once likened Cristiano Ronaldo‘s lucrative move to the Saudi Pro League to Pele‘s transfer to New York Cosmos in 1975.
He believed the Portuguese superstar could bring the same exposure to the Saudi Pro League as Pele’s transfer did to grow football in America.
There’s no doubt that he was right when it comes to Ronaldo. The 39-year-old’s big money move to the Middle East was perhaps a catalyst that saw many other big names from around the footballing world follow him to Saudi Arabia.
But while the ex-Man United star has won pretty much everything in his glittering career, it seems one title is currently evading him – the Saudi Pro League.
His wait to win the title could be prolonged a little longer too – with league rivals Al-Hilal currently 12 points clear at the top of the standings with four games to go. That means it’ll be the second season in a row that Al-Nassr and Ronaldo have missed out on winning the league – having finished as runners-up to Al-Ittihad last season.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr look set to miss out on winning the Saudi Pro League this season
Some likened Ronaldo’s move to Saudi Arabia to Pele’s move to New York Cosmos in 1975
But it seems Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr will come up short to Al-Hilal in the race for the league title (pictured – Al-Hilal winning the Saudi Super Cup Final)
The 39-year-old might be kicking himself a little more this time around, too, noting that he has scored a whopping 32 goals in 27 league games to go streaks ahead of his nearest challenger, Aleksandar Mitrovic, at the summit of the league’s top scorers chart.
Despite all the five-time Ballon d’Or winner’s brilliance, there’s no denying Al-Hilal deserve to pick up the trophy this year – which would be their fourth league title since 2020 and second trophy this season, after winning the Saudi Super Cup last month.
Their dominance is plain to see, with Jorge Jesus’ side sitting pretty at the top of the Saudi Pro League standings and have quite remarkably stayed there for the last 26 matchdays.
In fact, Al-Hilal are unbeaten in the league this season, having only dropped points twice in the early stages of their league campaign after they drew 1-1 to both Al-Fayha and Damac in August and September.
They have broken records this season too. Jesus’ side secured their 28th consecutive win on Friday, with Mitrovic scoring to help his side seal a 3-0 victory against…