The Saudi Pro League has announced the shortlist of five candidates for the 2025-26 Player of the Season award. Heading into the final matchday, Cristiano Ronaldo and Ivan Toney lead the nominations alongside Joao Felix, Julian Quinones, and Ruben Neves, capping off a highly contested season between Al Nassr and Al Hilal.

Cristiano is one of the clear favorites after leading Al Nassr in the title race and putting them in position to become champions, though nothing is decided until the final matchday. Ronaldo currently has 26 goals, standing as the third-highest scorer in the league.

A tight title race on the final matchday

With the final matchdays set to be played on Thursday, Al Nassr lead with 83 points, two more than the undefeated Al Hilal. The leaders face Damac, and a victory would give them the title, while Al Hilal visit Al Fayha. All the pressure is on Al Nassr, as a stumble could allow the second-place side to snatch the crown away from them at the very last moment.

Ronaldo and Felix in search of domestic glory

Ronaldo has already lost four finals with Al Nassr but the league crown is still up for grabs. The veteran has scored 26 goals this season and became the third player of the modern era to reach 100 goals in the Pro League. With seven Man of the Match awards, he is a favorite for the player of the season title.

He needs to win the final matchday to achieve his first major title with the club since his arrival on January 1, 2023. His teammate Joao Felix is also nominated, having scored three hat-tricks, a record for a midfielder, while leading the league in assists with 12 and ranking second in total goal contributions.

The other nominees for the award

Toney has scored 32 goals in 31 league matches with Al Ahli, recording four hat-tricks and earning nine Man of the Match awards in the Saudi Pro League. At Al Qadsiah, Quinonez stands out, having reached 30 goals this season to surpass the historic club record in the top flight with 50 total goals, while also winning 13 Man of the Match awards. Additionally, Ruben Neves anchors the midfield for Al Hilal, becoming the first player to surpass 2,000 passes to lead the league in key passes.

Today, Al Ahli played against Al Khoolod and secured a 3-0 victory, where the goal to open the scoring was scored by Ivan Toney, the leader of the scoring table of the Saudi Pro League, who reached a total of 32 goals with that strike. Right behind him is Julian Quinones with 30, while Cristiano stays in third place.

It is almost impossible for Cristiano to reach that mark with only one Saudi Pro League match remaining. Ronaldo has 26 goals, six behind Toney. That meant in Al Nassr’s final match against Damac, Ronaldo needs to score six goals to tie Toney, assuming he does not score on the final matchday, something practically impossible.

Has Ronaldo ever scored six goals in one match?

No, Cristiano Ronaldo has never scored six goals in one official match. His highest scoring record in a single game was five goals, a feat he achieved twice during his career, both while wearing the Real Madrid jersey.

The matches where Ronaldo achieved that record were the following, both in La Liga: Real Madrid 9-1 Granada on April 5, 2015, and Espanyol 0-6 Real Madrid on September 12, 2015.

That Cristiano season was one of his best in terms of goalscoring. He finished LaLiga campaign as top scorer with 48 goals in 35 matches, a number that earned him his second consecutive Golden Boot. Overall, he ended that season with 61 goals in 54 matches.

What is next for Cristiano Ronaldo?

With only a few days remaining before the start of the 2026 World Cup, Ronaldo suffered an emotional blow after losing the AFC Champions League Two final and still not winning that long-awaited title with Al Nassr, although he could still achieve it soon while fighting for the Saudi Pro League, where they depended on themselves.

Cristiano had a worrying number of lost finals with Al Nassr, something unusual for him, but now they would search for that league title against Damac on May 21, 2026, and then look to prove himself while preparing to play in his sixth World Cup with Portugal.

Ruben Neves’s first-half penalty and Sultan Mardash secured the win for Simone Inzaghi’s team, who is still dreaming of the title. However, unfortunately, it’s still no longer in its hands.

Al Nassr, led by Cristiano Ronaldo, sit on 83 points with one matchday remaining and will decide the title at home against Damac FC in Round 34. Meanwhile, Al Hilal will travel to face Al Feiha, hoping for a slip-up from the league leaders while securing a victory of their own to snatch the title away. Both matches will be played next Thursday, May 21.

When many believed that Jorge Jesus and his squad would clinch the championship last matchday, a costly mistake by Bento gave Al Hilal new life. Now, the Saudi Pro League will have its final chapter in just a few days.

Saudi Pro League standings ahead of Matchday 34

Al Hilal took care of business with a win over Neom SC and has now applied pressure on Al Nassr. The Saudi Pro League will crown its next champion on Matchday 34.

Cristiano Ronaldo is chasing his first official SPL title

As surprising as it may seem, Cristiano Ronaldo has yet to win an official title since arriving in the Saudi league. That is why he will look to capture his first Saudi Pro League crown next Thursday. In addition, he also has the chance to lift the 2026 AFC Champions League Two title against Gamba Osaka.

With only two matches left in the 2025-26 season, the pressure is mounting on Al Hilal after a dramatic late draw against Al Nassr earlier this week kept the title battle alive heading into Matchday 33.

Simone Inzaghi’s squad sits second in the table. So, they enter the showdown against Christophe Galtier‘s team unbeaten in league play this season, but their margin for error has nearly disappeared.

What happens if Al Hilal beat Neom today?

If Al Hilal beat Neom today, they will keep their Saudi Pro League title hopes alive heading into the final matchday of the 2025-26 season. Simone Inzaghi’s side enters the weekend trailing Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr by five points, but with one game in hand after their dramatic 1-1 draw earlier this week.

A victory over Neom would reduce the pressure temporarily and force Al Nassr to continue winning to officially secure the championship. Al Nassr lead the table with 83 points, while Al Hilal remain second with 78 points before this match.

Al Hilal have remained unbeaten for most of the league season and continue to rely on stars like Aleksandar Mitrovic, Salem Al-Dawsari, Ruben Neves and Malcom during the title race.

The club already defeated Neom earlier this season, winning 2-1 away from home behind goals from Mohammed Al-Burayk and Hassan Al-Tombakti.

What happens if Al Hilal and Neom tie today?

If Al Hilal and Neom tie today, Al Hilal’s Saudi Pro League title hopes would be over. A draw would ultimately secure the title for Al Nassr, as Simone Inzaghi’s team would no longer be able to catch them in terms of points.

What happens if Al Hilal lose to Neom today?

If Al Hilal lose to Neom today, Al Nassr would officially clinch the 2025-26 Saudi Pro League title. A defeat would mathematically eliminate them from the championship race and confirm Cristiano Ronaldo’s side as league champions.

That scenario would end one of the most dramatic Saudi title races in recent years. Al Hilal remained unbeaten for long stretches of the campaign and entered Matchday 33 still fighting to catch Al Nassr despite trailing late in the season.

For Neom, a victory would become one of the biggest results in club history during their first Saudi Pro League campaign. The expansion club has already impressed throughout the season and currently sits in the top half of the standings after adapting quickly to the demands of the league.

Saudi Pro League standings ahead of Al Hilal vs Neom match

The scoring table places Ronaldo in third place with 26 goals, above him are Julian Quinones with 29, three more goals, and then Ivan Toney with 31, who came from scoring a hat trick in his last match. The Al Ahli striker starred in his side’s 3-1 victory at home to Al Fateh on Wednesday night, his treble in Jeddah featuring two typically poised penalties and another predatory finish.

Ronaldo now has little chances of winning the competition Golden Boot, unless in the final matchday of Al Nassr against Damac, he scores six goals to surpass Toney and hopes that neither Quinones nor Toney scores again, and they also still have one more matchday to do it.

Cristiano already won that award

Despite not winning it this year, Ronaldo already achieved it on two occasions and completed a back-to-back. Cristiano Ronaldo won the 2024-25 Saudi Pro League Golden Boot, scoring 25 goals for Al Nassr to secure his second consecutive title as top scorer after previously winning it in 2023-24.

What matters now to Ronaldo

The most important thing for Ronaldo this season is winning those titles he has searched for so much, both the Saudi Pro League and the AFC Champions League Two. Al Nassr could end up becoming champions on the same day if the results go in their favor, taking into account the updated Saudi Pro League standings and the remaining fixtures.

Al Nassr, to become league champions, depend on themselves or simply with an Al Hilal draw in their next match, it would be enough for them to become league champions.

Ronaldo remains optimistic despite the draw, and he showed it in a message he left on social media. That reflects his leadership within the team despite Bento, the goalkeeper, making a terrible mistake that they hope will not, but could end up costing Al Nassr a championship.

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.

Users took to Bento’s last Instagram post, shared after a Matchday 32 win over Al Shabab, to let him know their frustration with the goalkeeper’s decisive error against Al Hilal in the closing moments.

In the 97th minute, with Al Nassr seconds away from a potentially title-clinching victory, Al Hilal launched a final throw-in into Bento’s area. The goalkeeper appeared ready to secure the ball, but it slipped from his hands and crossed the line for a dramatic equalizer that sealed the 1-1 result.

Fans react strongly after Bento’s late mistake

The costly error immediately sparked backlash online, with several fans expressing frustration over the goalkeeper’s performance and his post-match message on social media.

Among the reactions, a user quoted an old, unrelated tweet from former Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos which read: “Embarrasing.” Other users also responded critically, writing: “bad, Bad keeper!”, “get out bro”, and “get ready Bento out!”

Al Nassr and Ronaldo’s title hopes remain on hold

With the draw, the Saudi Pro League standings shifted, and Al Hilal remain in second place with 78 points, while Al Nassr move to 83 after letting two crucial points slip at home. Al Nassr now have just one match left, compared to Al Hilal’s two remaining fixtures, keeping the five‑point gap, and the title race, mathematically alive.

The dramatic finish adds pressure on Al Nassr and Cristiano Ronaldo heading into the final matchday, after what looked like a championship‑clinching result slipped away in stoppage time. Ronaldo, however, showed optimism despite the tie.

Al Hilal were met with an unexpected equalizer in the eighth minute of added time by the referee. A cross into the box that did not seem particularly dangerous led to the Brazilian goalkeeper colliding with a teammate, and the ball ended up going into his own net.

Stunned by the situation, CR7 did not hide his frustration and disbelief at having missed the chance to secure the title this matchday. Now, Al Nassr will have to wait one more round to try to be crowned champions of the SPL.

What lies ahead for the squad of Jorge Jesus is a crucial clash against Damac FC. If it secures all three points, it will not depend on anyone else and will then be able to lift the long-awaited trophy.

Cristiano Ronaldo still can’t be crowned champion

The 1–1 draw between Al Nassr and Al Hilal added suspense to the title race in the Saudi Pro League. Not only that, but it also denied Cristiano Ronaldo the chance to be crowned champion for the first time since joining this team.

Since his arrival at the end of 2022, the Portuguese forward has still not been able to lift a trophy with his teammates. In August 2023, he did win the Arab Club Champions Cup, although this is not considered an official title.

What’s next for Al Nassr?

Frustration over not getting the result could turn into double joy next Saturday. Cristiano Ronaldo and Al Nassr FC could win two titles on the same day, if Al Hilal do not win their pending match and if the team of Jorge Jesus defeats Gamba Osaka in the Asian Cup final.

• vs Gamba Osaka, May 16th (Asian Cup)
• vs Damac FC, May 20th (Saudi Pro League)

In the 97th minute, with only seconds remaining on the clock, Al Hilal sent a desperate throw-in toward Bento’s area. Just as fans expected the keeper to safely corral the ball and clinch the championship, it inexplicably spilled from his hands and trickled into the net, forcing a devastating 1-1 draw.

The equalizer keep Al-Hilal’s title hopes alive. The two clubs remain separated by just five points in the standings, and Pipo Inzaghi’s squad still has two critical matches left on the slate to potentially leapfrog Al Nassr for the crown.

Following this result, Al Nassr now require a specific set of scenarios to unfold to clinch the title. Consequently, the uncertainty surrounding Ronaldo’s pursuit of his first official trophy in Saudi Arabia continues to mount this season.

Ronaldo visibly frustrated after Bento’s costly error

Following Bento’s late-game blunder, cameras immediately panned to Cristiano on the bench, who had been subbed off just after the 82th minute. His reaction was one of pure frustration, as the prospect of another title appeared to slip through his fingers in the closing stages of the clash against Al Hilal.

Al-Nassr’s final title push

Despite the result against Al Hilal, Al Nassr remain mathematically alive in the Saudi Pro League title race heading into the remaining fixture remaining. However, their path to the trophy is steep: they must secure a positive result against a formidable opponent in the season finale.

Facing a narrowing window, Al Nassr are under immense pressure to close the gap in the standings. To secure the title, they must execute down the stretch, as Al Hilal remain within striking distance to snatch the championship away.

Al Nassr still depend on themselves though. With the draw, they reached 83 points, which is why they maintain control of their destiny. To celebrate the title without depending on anybody else, Al Nassr need to win their final match of the season against Damac FC on Thursday, May 21, 2026. That would see the team reach a total of 86 points, making it mathematically impossible for Al Hilal to finish first.

However, Al Nassr could still secure the title even before playing their pending game. Since Al Hilal have 78 points and play one of their two remaining games on Saturday, May 16, Ronaldo and company could already see themselves crowned as champions with an Al Hilal tie or loss against Neom.

Curiously, Al Nassr have a chance to secure another title on Saturday when they play the AFC Champions League Two final against Gamba Osaka. That means Ronaldo could end up celebrating two different titles on the same day.

Updated Saudi Pro League table

With this result, the updated Saudi Pro League standings paint a special picture on the remaining fixtures for Al Nassr and Al Hilal.

It is important to remember that Al Nassr already played one more match (33) than Al Hilal (32). Al Hilal are only five points behind, which forces them to win their two remaining matches, and if Al Nassr lose their final match, they could lose the title.

The terrible mistake by Bento

Everything was joy and high emotions for Al Nassr until the 90+8’ minute, literally the final minute of the match, when Al Hilal launched a desperate throw-in into Bento’s area. He inexplicably let it slip through his hands and slowly into the net, forcing a devastating 1-1 draw that led to criticism towards Bento.

A clearly dejected Ronaldo was seen on the bench, where he saw the final minutes of the match after being subbed off at the 83th minute. After all, Al Nassr were already trying to secure the result, since with the 1-0 they were becoming league champions, something truly unbelievable that could end up changing the Saudi Pro League finale.