As historic as a title-clinching win over their Riyadh foes would’ve been, Ronaldo and Al Nassr now have a chance to clinch two championships in one day. Perhaps, Bento’s costly mistake actually turns out to be for the best, though every single team member would’ve rather ended the drama surrounding the Saudi Pro League title race tonight.

Still, on Saturday, May 16, Al Nassr could make history by being crowned both Saudi Pro League and AFC Champions League Two champions. While that is a very real possibility, it wouldn’t require Cristiano Ronaldo and company to play two matches simultaneously. So how is it possible? It’s quite simple.

How Al-Nassr could conquer two titles in one day

Al Hilal (78 points) are the only team that can surpass Al Nassr (83) in the league standings. With two matches remaining on their schedule, Al Hilal will face Neom on Saturday. Kickoff is scheduled for just one hour and 40 minutes before Al Nassr take on Gamba Osaka in the ACL Two final.

If Al Hilal fail to defeat Neom, Al Nassr could learn they have been crowned league champions by halftime of their final against the Japanese side in Riyadh. An Al Hilal draw or loss against Neom—currently eighth in the standings—would mean Ronaldo wins his first official trophy since joining the club in Saudi Arabia’s capital city.

Moreover, he could go from being trophyless with Al Nassr to conquering two championships within a matter of hours. Needless to say, that would be unprecedented even for a decorated soccer star like Cristiano. Sometimes, all it takes is some external help before the floodgates open. The Portuguese icon’s trophy drought in the Kingdom could be a perfect example of that.

Saudi Pro League title race

The updated Saudi Pro League standings and Al-Nassr’s remaining fixture indicate the club still has a very good chance of being crowned champion. Even if the double conquest isn’t completed on Saturday, Al Nassr are just one win away from the league title. What happens with Al Hilal won’t matter if Al Nassr defeat Damac—currently battling relegation—in the final matchweek.

Following the match, the Al Nassr captain didn’t hesitate to share a message of hope, indicating that they are only one step away from the long-awaited title. “The dream is close. Heads up, we have one more step to take! Thank you all for the amazing support tonight!” Ronaldo posted on his social media.

The equalizer arrived in agonizing fashion during the final seconds of the game. After a long throw-in from an Al Hilal player intended as a cross, Bento came out to claim the ball but accidentally fumbled it into the back of his own net. The blunder left Ronaldo looking dejected on the bench as the victory slipped away.

Two games, two finals for Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo was quite literally seconds away from his first title in Saudi Arabia. However, the Portuguese forward now has the chance to lift two trophies in the final two matches of the season.

If Al Nassr defeat Damac in the final round of the Saudi Pro League, they will be crowned champions. But before that, they could become champions of the AFC Champions League Two when they face Japan’s Gamba Osaka on Saturday, May 16th.

Interestingly, there is a possibility that Ronaldo could win both titles on the same day. Since Al Hilal are forced to win both of their remaining league matches to stay in the race, a failure to defeat Neom on Saturday, May 16th, would officially make Al Nassr the Saudi Pro League champions—potentially on the very same day they compete for the AFC Champions League Two crown.

Ronaldo’s SPL Golden Boot aspirations fade

Ronaldo was on track to win his third consecutive Saudi Pro League Golden Boot, but those chances have now become highly improbable. After failing to find the net against Al Hilal while Ivan Toney scored in Al Ahli’s victory, the gap in the individual title race has widened significantly.

Ronaldo currently has 26 goals to his name, and with only one match remaining, he must somehow overtake Julian Quiñones (29 goals) and Toney, who leads the standings with 30 goals.

After a high-intensity start, Al Nassr finally broke the deadlock in the first half. Mohamed Simakan pounced on a pinpoint corner from Marcelo Brozovic, firing the ball home to give the hosts the lead.

Al Nassr looked increasingly comfortable throughout the second half, appearing superior in almost every department. However, just as Ronaldo’s title celebrations seemed ready to begin, disaster struck. In the dying moments, Bento misjudged an incoming cross and accidentally turned the ball into his own net, gifting Al Hilal an equalizer and a lifeline in the championship race.

Now, Cristiano Ronaldo must wait until the final matchday, where a victory against Damac would secure his first title in Saudi Arabia. He must be careful, however, as another draw would give Al Hilal the opportunity to snatch the championship from their grasp as the Saudi Pro League standings are heating up, and the title race is more alive than ever.

Following a dominant campaign, Al Nassr enter the final stretch of the season as the sole leader with 82 points. With only two games remaining on their schedule, Ronaldo’s side holds a five-point cushion over Al Hilal. However, the challengers hold a crucial game in hand, making today’s result the ultimate factor in the title race. Follow Al Nassr vs Al Hilal with us for live updates!

The math is simple: a victory today would see Al Nassr crowned champions before the season even concludes. Conversely, a defeat would open the door for Al Hilal to close the gap, potentially overtaking them to snatch the title in the final days of the campaign. Make sure to check the lineups and how to watch the game to ensure you don’t miss a single moment of this crucial matchup!

What happens if Al Nassr win vs Al Hilal?

If Al Nassr defeat Al Hilal today, the title race is over. They would be crowned Saudi Pro League champions with one matchday to spare, as Al Nassr would reach 85 points, making it impossible for Al Hilal—with 77 points and two games in hand—to catch them. This would mark Cristiano Ronaldo’s first official title in Saudi Arabia, rendering their final match against Damac a victory lap.

What happens if Al Nassr and Al Hilal tie?

If the match ends in a draw, Al Nassr will head into the final matchday against Damac with 83 points and the title still on the line, as Al Hilal would stay in second place with 78 points. A victory in that season finale would guarantee Ronaldo his first official trophy with the club.

However, if they were to draw their final match as well, the door would swing wide open for Al Hilal. Should Al Hilal win their two remaining games, they would finish level on points with Al Nassr but would claim the Saudi Pro League title based on the head-to-head tiebreaker across the season series.

What happens if Al Nassr lose to Al Hilal?

A defeat would be the absolute worst-case scenario for Al Nassr, as the title race would no longer be in their hands. A loss would see Al Nassr stay with 82 points as Al Hilal would narrow the gap to just two points with a game in hand.

Should they win their final two matches, they would leapfrog Ronaldo and company to steal the title, regardless of Al Nassr’s result in their season finale against Damac.

The top of the Saudi Pro League table ahead of Al Nassr vs Al Hilal

The Al Nassr captain was instrumental in the victory, netting a goal to seal the result and reach the historic 100-goal milestone in the Saudi Pro League. However, it was Joao Felix who stole the headlines with a brilliant hat trick, leading the charge and ensuring the club walked away with all three points.

With this result, Al Nassr extend their lead at the top of the table to 82 points, currently five points clear of Al Hilal (who hold a game in hand). With only two matches remaining in the season, the upcoming fixture serves as a literal final; a victory for Ronaldo’s side would make it mathematically impossible for Al Hilal to catch them, officially ending the title race.

Ronaldo eyes a historic multi-trophy campaign

This season is shaping up to be one for the record books for the Portuguese superstar. Beyond being on the verge of his first domestic league title in Riyadh, Al Nassr are also just one match away from international glory.

Jorge Jesus’ men have reached the final of the AFC Champions League Two, where they are scheduled to face Japan’s Gamba Osaka on Saturday, May 16. Should they emerge victorious, Al Nassr would become the first Saudi Arabian club in history to win this specific continental trophy.

While Ronaldo previously led the team to the Arab Club Champions Cup—scoring a brace in a 2-1 win over Al Hilal—that trophy is not officially recognized by FIFA or the AFC. This month offers him the chance to fill his cabinet with official silverware.

A century of goals in Saudi Arabia

Beyond the team’s success, the match against Al Shabab marked yet another landmark in Ronaldo’s legendary career. By finding the back of the net, he officially reached 100 goals in the Saudi Pro League.

Ronaldo now sets his sights on becoming the league’s all-time leading scorer. While he still trails Omar Al Somah (161 goals), the 41-year-old’s current form—28 goals in 34 games this season—suggests that no record is safe from the most prolific scorer in the history of the game.

Real Madrid took the lead in the 33rd minute thanks to Gonzalo Garcia, who finished off a well-placed assist from Rodrygo. But the advantage was short-lived. Just seven minutes later, Al Hilal drew level through a Ruben Neves penalty following a foul inside the box. The scoreline remained unchanged for the rest of the match, despite late drama.

In the 90th minute, referee Facundo Tello awarded a penalty to Real Madrid after a VAR review. However, Al Hilal goalkeeper Bono came up with a crucial save to deny Federico Valverde and preserve the draw.

Real Madrid will look for their first win on Sunday, June 22, when they take on Pachuca, while Al Hilal will aim for the same as they face RB Salzburg later that day.

Real Madrid will kick off their 2025 FIFA Club World Cup campaign against Al Hilal at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. Under new manager Xabi Alonso, Los Blancos enter the expanded tournament as one of the clear favorites, aiming to capture a record-extending sixth title in the competition. But they’ll have to begin that quest without their brightest star, Kylian Mbappe.

Mbappe has been ruled out for the opening match after missing the final training session due to illness. The club confirmed that the French forward is suffering from a fever, which sidelined him from team preparations just 24 hours before the crucial Group H opener.

Fortunately for Madrid and their fans, the issue is not injury-related, which means he could be back on Matchday 2. However, the 26-year-old began feeling unwell on Tuesday, leading to a precautionary absence from the training session yesterday.

Unfortunately, Mbappe will not even be on the bench today. His absence in Real Madrid’s starting lineup against Al Hilal is a tactical blow for Alonso, who is managing his first official match at the helm of the Spanish giants.

Real Madrid’s group at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup

Madrid’s Group H features Al Hilal, Mexico’s Club Pachuca, and Austria’s RB Salzburg. After the match in Miami, Real Madrid will travel to face Pachuca on Sunday in Charlotte, before concluding the group stage against Salzburg on June 26 in Philadelphia.

If Madrid win their group, they will face the runner-up from Group G—which includes Manchester City, Juventus, Wydad Casablanca, and Al Ain—in the Round of 16. A potential early knockout showdown with either City or Juventus looms if results align.

Despite the minor uncertainty surrounding Mbappe, Madrid remain heavy favorites to top Group H. But with only three matches determining progression, any disruption, like a tie or a loss, could put them in an unexpectedly difficult position.

Al Hilal may not have signed the biggest names, but they have built a strong and well-balanced team. Their success comes from keeping a solid core while making smart additions. Kalidou Koulibaly, Ruben Neves, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, Aleksandar Mitrovic, and Malcom have all played key roles, helping the team stay compact and defensively strong, while also improving its ability to control games.

The 2024–25 season brought more frustration than celebration for Real Madrid, leading to the departure of Carlo Ancelotti. Nevertheless, the arrival of Xabi Alonso as head coach marks the start of a new chapter filled with renewed ambition.

Moreover, the signings of Dean Huijsen and Trent Alexander-Arnold reflect a clear shift in direction. As a result, fans remain hopeful for a sixth Club World Cup title. Still, Alonso faces an early challenge, as limited time with the squad may hinder the full implementation of his tactical approach.

Real Madrid confirmed starting lineup

With Real Madrid playing Al Hilal in the FIFA Club World Cup 2025, Xabi Alonso steps into his first tournament with the club facing significant challenges. Despite being the favorites, the team will compete without key players Endrick, Ferland Mendy, and Eduardo Camavinga. Additionally, Kylian Mbappe will miss the game due to a fever.

Considering these factors, Real Madrid will field the following lineup against Al Hilal: Thibaut Courtois; Trent Alexander-Arnold, Raul Asencio, Dean Huijsen, Fran Garcia; Aurelien Tchouameni, Federico Valverde, Jude Bellingham; Vinicius Junior, Gonzalo, Rodrygo Goes.

Al Hilal confirmed starting lineup

Al Hilal enter the tournament fresh off their Saudi Pro League championship but with a shake-up at the helm, as they recently appointed UEFA Champions League finalist Simone Inzaghi as head coach. This change, bold as it may be, arrives on the eve of the Club World Cup, potentially disrupting the team’s rhythm as Inzaghi integrates his tactics.

In terms of lineup considerations, Inzaghi will count on Portuguese fullback Joao Cancelo, who recovered from an injury that sidelined him at the end of the 2024-25 season. Al Hilal will face a significant challenge as they head into their upcoming match without Aleksandar Mitrovic, who is sidelined with a muscle injury. Mitrovic’s absence will be probably felt, given his impressive tally of 19 goals last season.

For this reason, Al Hilal will play as follows against Real Madrid: Yassine Bounou; Hassan Al Tambakti, Kalidou Koulibaly, Renan Lodi, Joao Cancelo; Nasser, Ruben Neves, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, Salem Al-Dawsari; Malcom, Marcos Leonardo.

Much like Messi did after winning multiple titles with Argentina, the 32-year-old winger approached the trophy with playful steps, teasingly feigning to lift it before finally turning to the cameras and hoisting it high.

Ronaldo, on the other hand, skipped the post-match medal ceremony, storming off to the locker room visibly frustrated. The Portuguese star’s anger likely stemmed from his continued struggle to secure his first official title since joining Saudi Arabian football.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s pre-game trophy gesture

Before the match even began, Cristiano Ronaldo found himself at the center of controversy. As the teams lined up, the Portuguese forward approached the trophy and gave it a quick touch—a gesture that some have since interpreted as a jinx or bad omen contributing to the final outcome.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s record at Al-Nassr

Since his arrival at Al-Nassr in early 2023, CR7 has played 66 matches, scoring 60 goals and providing 16 assists, with one red card to his name. However, despite these impressive stats, he has yet to win an official title, with his only silverware being the Arab Club Champions Cup, which isn’t recognized as an official FIFA title.

The 31-year-old has recently taken to social media to hit back at those who have criticized his fitness, as some pictures of the Brazilian during his recovery from a knee injury made it look like he put on some weight.

Ney noticed the comments about his body, which is why he dedicated a message to his critics: “Today’s training session finished. Overweight ok, but fat? I don’t think so (hahaha). S*** it, haters,” he said on an Instagram story.

Neymar is still months away from coming back

Neymar is recovering from a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus in his left leg sustained in October, during Brazil’s 2-0 loss to Uruguay in the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers.

That injury kept the Brazilian star from the sidelines since then, and it will make him miss the 2024 Copa America. There is not a return date confirmed for Neymar yet, as his progress will determine his potential availability.

Neymar only got to make five appearances for Al-Hilal before the injury, recording one goal and three assists. The team managed to do well despite his absence, as it leads the Saudi Pro League standings with 53 points, seven clear of Al-Nassr.

Aleksandar Mitrovic opened the score for the Saudi Pro League team 10 minutes into the game, with Abdullah Al-Hamdan making it 2-0 just three minutes later. That led Al-Hilal to feel confident, as even their social media team dared to poke fun at Messi and company.

However, Gerardo Martino’s men never threw in the towel. Luis Suarez pulled one back for the Herons after 34′, capitalizing on a great assist by Julian Gressel to celebrate his first goal in an Inter Miami uniform. The Uruguayan later combined with Messi in a great play, but Leo’s goal was disallowed for offside.

Michael restored the two-goal lead for the Saudi club just before halftime, celebrating his team’s third goal of the night by pulling off Cristiano Ronaldo’s trademark “Siuu” celebration.

Messi scores and assists but Inter Miami lose after he leaves the field

Inter Miami came back stronger in the second half, with Messir scoring a spot-kick to put his side back in the game. The Herons were awarded a penalty after a VAR review due to a foul on David Ruiz. Unsurprisingly, Messi made sure to find the net from the spot with a powerful shot, putting the ball in the top right corner.

That goal seemed to give Inter Miami enough confidence to look for the equalizer, with Ruiz making things level only a minute after Messi’s goal. The 8x Ballon d’Or winner also had a hand in this goal, as he provided the assist for the 19-year-old.

From then on the game was more evenly-matched. But just when it looked like we would be talking about a thrilling draw, Malcom scored the winner for Al-Hilal right after Messi was replaced by Robert Taylor after 88′. 12 minutes earlier, Suarez was subbed off for Leonardo Campana.

With this result, Inter Miami suffered their second straight loss in their 2024 preseason tour and remain winless this year. The MLS side will return to action on Thursday against Al-Nassr, in a highly anticipated friendly as it could see Messi facing Cristiano Ronaldo for the last time.