“Cristiano Ronaldo close to ending drought and winning title in Arabia.”

Cristiano Ronaldo is one step away from ending a five-year drought – and the moment couldn’t be more explosive. Today, in the electrifying derby between Al Nassr and Al Hilal in Riyadh, the Portuguese forward could finally lift a national title since leaving Europe in December 2022. A victory for his club against their historic rival would mean the end of a dry spell that, for one of the greatest goalscorers in football history, seemed never-ending.

Ronaldo’s decision to embrace the challenge in Saudi Arabia was, at the time, viewed with surprise and even some controversy. In the aftermath of the World Cup in Qatar, where Portugal did not shine and his tumultuous exit from Manchester United was still echoing, CR7 opted for a radical change: leaving the bright lights of Europe to become the figurehead of a championship that had previously been marginalized on the world stage. His influence was so significant that the “Saudi Premier League” began to be broadcast globally, and the name of the Portuguese player resonated across the four corners of the planet.

However, the journey was neither easy nor immediate when it came to titles. In the first half of the season, Al Nassr finished in second place, behind Al Ittihad. The following year, they repeated the second place, this time behind Al Hilal, led by the Portuguese Jorge Jesus. The third year was even worse, with the team dropping to third place, again behind the same rivals. This scenario seemed to call into question the real impact of Ronaldo’s transfer to the Middle East.

But a turnaround was about to happen, featuring an unexpected chapter. Cristiano Ronaldo staged a “strike” within the club, a protest against controversial decisions made by the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia, which owns four major local clubs – Al Nassr, Al Hilal, Al Ittihad, and Al Ahli. The protest focused on the alleged favoritism towards Al Ahli, the stripping of powers from the Portuguese Simão Coutinho and José Semedo – close allies of CR7 – and the failure to pay staff. This firm stance from the Portuguese captain shook the foundations and forced changes.

The boycott had an effect. The Portuguese regained influence, salaries were regularized, and the team surged in an impressive streak of 20 consecutive victories in the championship. Now, in the penultimate round, Al Nassr arrives in a comfortable position to win a title that has eluded them since 2019, when they were still under the management of Portuguese coach Rui Vitória. Three and a half years later, with over 400 million euros invested in reinforcements since Ronaldo’s arrival, the club is finally in a position to break the dominance of their rivals.

This Riyadh derby, which promised to be just another game on the calendar, has turned into a globally significant event. The possibility of Ronaldo finally winning a national title, something that hasn’t happened since 2021 – when he won Serie A with Juventus – stirs the passions of fans and audiences around the world.

In his impressive career, Cristiano Ronaldo has already scored 971 official goals, including those in the Arab Champions Cup, and boasts an impressive trophy cabinet that includes more titles than the legendary Portuguese goalkeeper Vítor Baía. Among the most recent trophies are the Arab Champions League, won in 2023, and the Nations League, representing Portugal, in 2025.

If he secures victory over Al Hilal today, the Portuguese star will not only end a long drought but also reinforce his legend, proving that, even away from the European spotlight, he remains a dominant force in world football. The wait is almost over – and the world is watching closely.

This article first appeared on Apito Final.