Cristiano Ronaldo’s move to the Middle East has had a tectonic impact on the Saudi Pro League’s (SPL) global profile over the past couple of years.
He has been a huge commercial success and is considered the face of the SPL revolution. However. Al-Nassr’s record-breaking investment in the Portuguese superstar has not delivered silverware.
Since joining the SPL giants in January 2023, Ronaldo has failed to help them win a trophy despite maintaining his ridiculous goalscoring exploits.
It has been one heartbreak after another for the 40-year-old, and his silverware drought could be extended yet again this season.
The Riyadh giants suffered a crushing 4-1 defeat against Al-Hilal in the Saudi Super Cup earlier this season. They got no further than the last-16 in the King’s Cup.
With Al-Nassr struggling to mount a serious SPL title challenge, the AFC Champions League Elite Is Ronaldo’s final shot at glory this season.
All eyes will be on the Portugal international when the quarter-final rolls around, particularly from those within the Arab betting community.
Punters will flock to Arabian Payeer sports betting sites to place wagers, and many of those platforms are already offering odds on Al-Nassr’s last eight meeting with Yokohama F Marinos.
Arab players are always looking for security and speed on online sports betting sites, and e-Wallets such as Payeer offer all this and more.
Ronaldo will undoubtedly be at the centre of betting activity and punters will be hoping he can deliver a winning return to them by triumphing on the continental stage.
Al-Nassr’s Record-Breaking Ronaldo Gamble Has Stuttered
After Ronaldo’s reunion with Manchester United turned sour, Al-Nassr pounced on the chance to lure one of the greatest players of all time to the SPL.
They made the Portuguese superstar the highest-paid footballer in the world with a mind-boggling contract worth an estimated €200 million, plus another €60m in image rights.
Ronaldo’s move to Al-Nassr put the SPL on the map and paved the way for a European invasion that allowed the Kingdom to snap up some of the biggest names in football.
He has notched 86 goals in 97 games for Al-Nassr, but the club has not had any tangible on-field success to celebrate since breaking the bank to recruit him.
Al-Nassr have struggled to mount a serious SPL title challenge despite Ronaldo’s efforts, finishing second in each of the last two seasons.
Ronaldo plundered 44 goals in 45 games in all competitions last term but had no silverware to show for it as Al-Nassr lost to Al-Hilal in the King’s Cup final and crashed out of the AFC Champions League in the quarter-finals.
The European version of the Champions League was Ronaldo’s playground. He won the competition five times and was the ultimate difference-maker, netting a record 140 goals.
He has yet to live up to that reputation in the Middle East. With Al-Nassr gearing up for another quarter-final appearance, the onus is on Ronaldo to fire them to success this time around.
Al Nassr’s AFC Champions League Run – Ronaldo Eager to Inspire Them to Success
Al-Nassr booked their spot in the Champions League knockout phase with a third-place finish in the group stage, five points behind SPL rivals Al-Hilal and Al-Ahli.
They eased past two-time continental champions Esteghlal FC with a 3-0 aggregate win to set up a quarter-final date with Japanese powerhouse Yokohama F Marinos.
Ronaldo has been at the heart of Al-Nassr’s Champions League push, netting six times in eight games.
His team are one of the favourites to win the Champions League, and they will pin their hopes on the former Man United superstar as they look to go all the way.
However, it will not be a walk in the park. There’s a decent chance that there will be an all-SPL final in the AFC Champions League this season.
That could be ominous for Al-Nassr depending on who comes out on top between Al-Hilal and Al-Ahli, they could clash in the semi-finals if they get past Gwangju and Buriram United, respectively.
If that happens, Al Nassr will go head-to-head with one of their SPL rivals if they also make it to the final. They will be hoping Al-Ahli go through given their awful record against Al-Hilal.
The last time both sides met in the AFC Champions League, Al-Nassr were sent packing in the semi-final after falling to a 2-1 defeat.
Ronaldo’s arrival has not turned the tide in their favour, with the Riyadh giants winless in their last seven meetings with Al-Hilal across all competitions.
With Al-Nassr struggling to dominate Saudi football, the AFC Champions League is Ronaldo’s final shot at ending his trophy drought this season.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner has shattered goalscoring records, but it counts for nothing without silverware to back it up.
Ronaldo will need to summon every ounce of his legendary big-game mentality to inspire them past some of the most formidable opposition in the tournament.
