Ronaldo endured a challenging journey to win the Saudi Pro League 2025-2026 title. This marked his first league championship since moving to Saudi Arabia in late 2022, excluding the Arab Club Champions Cup, which is considered a friendly tournament.

Consequently, Ronaldo enters the new season as the reigning Saudi Pro League champion. This season also provides him with a special motivation. Starting today, the Portuguese striker begins a race against time to reach 1,000 career goals. Ronaldo currently has 978 goals, meaning he needs just 22 more to achieve the feat.

This is a number Ronaldo has surpassed with ease in his three full seasons in Saudi Arabia. The striker, born in 1985, scored 50 goals across all competitions in the 2023-2024 season, 35 goals in 2024-2025, and 30 goals in 2025-2026.

Ronaldo and his Al Nassr teammates lift the Saudi Pro League championship cup after defeating Damac at Al-Awwal Park, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on 21/5. Photo: *Reuters*

The 1,000-goal milestone is seen as the last major objective in Ronaldo's career, but the 41-year-old striker does not view it as an obsession. "I want to win titles and achieve the milestone everyone knows. Certainly, if I avoid injuries, I will do it," Ronaldo stated at the Globe Soccer Awards in December 2025.

Al Nassr is currently affected by financial regulations, limiting their activity in this summer's transfer market. Their most notable new signing is Samu Costa, Ronaldo's teammate in the Portugal national team at the World Cup 2026, brought in to replace Marcelo Brozovic, who departed on a free transfer.

Despite this, Al Nassr has retained many quality players such as Kingsley Coman, Leroy Sane, and Joao Felix. This squad is still considered strong enough to defend the championship and support Ronaldo on his journey towards this historic milestone.

In the coaching hot seat, Al Nassr has appointed Ange Postecoglou to replace Jorge Jesus. Postecoglou is a coach who led the Australia national team to the World Cup 2014, won the Asian Cup 2015, and helped Tottenham win the Europa League 2025.

Coach Ange Postecoglou observes Al Nassr's training session on 12/8. Photo: *Al Nassr*

Simone Inzaghi's Al Hilal remains the biggest contender for the championship against Al Nassr. Last season, Al Hilal took the title race down to the wire.

Al Hilal no longer has Marcos Leonardo but has added Crysencio Summerville, a player who made a strong impression with the Netherlands national team at the World Cup 2026. They still boast many prominent names like Yassine Bounou, Kalidou Koulibaly, Theo Hernandez, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, and Malcom.

Al Ahli, who won the AFC Champions League for two consecutive seasons, is showing signs of weakening. The team not only parted ways with Franck Kessie and Riyad Mahrez but also lost coach Matthias Jaissle, who moved to manage Newcastle in the Premier League. Conversely, Al Ahli has signed Trincao.

Hong Duy (according to Marca)