Ronaldo Misses Out on Saudi Pro League Player of the Season Award
Cristiano Ronaldo has been overlooked for the Saudi Pro League Player of the Season award, with the honor going to his Al Nassr and Portugal teammate, Joao Felix. Despite his impressive performance this season, including scoring twice in Al Nassr’s 4-1 victory over Damac on the final day of the season, Ronaldo did not secure the prestigious title.
The win against Damac was crucial for Al Nassr, as it secured their first league title since joining the club more than three years ago. The £177 million-a-year forward finally claimed the championship, which came after a thrilling campaign filled with highs and lows.
Ronaldo finished third in the scoring charts with 28 goals, behind Julian Quinones (33) and Ivan Toney (32). However, it seems that his all-round contribution to the team was the key factor in the decision. Felix, on the other hand, was recognized for his exceptional performance, recording 13 assists throughout the season—more than any other player in the league.
Felix played a vital role in Al Nassr’s success, helping them clinch their 11th league title and their first since the 2018-19 season. His contributions were instrumental in securing the championship, which they achieved with 86 points, two clear of record 21-time champions Al Hilal.
Despite the challenges faced by Al Nassr during the season, including a stoppage-time error from Brazil goalkeeper Bento that led to a 1-1 draw against Al Hilal, and a shock home defeat to Gamba Osaka in the AFC Champions League final, the team ultimately managed to secure the title.
In the final match against Damac, former Liverpool winger Sadio Mane and Felix played alongside Ronaldo, contributing to the team’s victory. The win marked a significant milestone for Al Nassr, who had struggled earlier in the season but managed to turn things around.
Felix joined Al Nassr last summer after a disappointing second spell at his previous club, where he made 20 appearances and started just three Premier League games before being loaned out to AC Milan in January 2025. At the time of his departure, he was still the third most expensive transfer in history, having cost Atletico Madrid £113 million when he joined from Benfica as a 19-year-old in 2019. He has since dropped to fourth following Alexander Isak’s British-record £125 million move from Newcastle to Liverpool.
At Benfica, Felix became the youngest player to score a Europa League hat-trick, achieving the feat against Eintracht Frankfurt in a quarter-final. He also scored 20 goals in 43 appearances across all competitions, helping the team secure the league title in his debut season as a teenager.
Felix went on to represent European heavyweights including Barcelona, AC Milan, and Chelsea, although he never scored more than 10 goals in a single season. This led to a sense that he had fallen short of the immense potential he showed early in his career.
There is now a growing feeling that Felix is beginning to fulfill that promise following his move to Al Nassr at the age of 25. Many had viewed the decision as a premature step away from elite European football, but his performances have proven otherwise.
Last week, Felix was named in Portugal’s squad for his second World Cup, set to be held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico in less than three weeks’ time. Portugal’s announcement also included a tribute to Diogo Jota, who died in a car crash last summer, with the national team posting: “The 27+1 carrying the World Cup dream to the Americas.”
Forty-one-year-old Ronaldo, meanwhile, is set to play in a record sixth World Cup. Portugal boss Roberto Martinez said earlier this month: “We manage the Cristiano Ronaldo that plays for the national team trying to get into the squad for 2026, not the iconic figure.”
“Age is only a number. Certainly in the national team we can measure exactly what’s happening on the day, and you make the decisions for the next day. You never look any longer than the next day.”
“Now we’ve got five substitutions. It’s almost like we’ve got a starting team and a finishing team. There is no distinction. There are different roles and Cristiano has always accepted his role.”
Martinez is expected to stand down from his post at the end of the tournament after three years in charge, and reports have been speculating that Al Nassr are targeting a move for the Spanish coach following the departure of Jorge Jesus.
