The Portuguese superstar struck a brace as Al-Nassr thrashed Damac 4-1 in the season’s high-stakes finale, securing the club’s first league crown since 2016.

Sadio Mane and Sami Al-Naji added the other goals.

“Tears” streaming down Ronaldo’s face mid-match betrayed what the triumph meant for the 38-year-old, who joined Al-Nassr in January 2023 and had chased his maiden Saudi title.

But confusion swept the trophy lift. Ronaldo performed a series of “strange” moves and signals with the winners’ silverware, sparking instant debate across Arab sports circles. Former Al-Hilal legend Mohammed Al-Deayea told Dorena Ghair the striker meant “we won it on the pitch, not outside.” Ex-Saudi international Ahmed Attif agreed, interpreting the message as a riposte to “claims matches were rigged or the league steered toward Al-Nassr.”

Al-Nassr finished two points clear of Al-Hilal, who also won their final fixture. Ronaldo’s double secured a long-awaited piece of silverware for the Riyadh giants after seven full seasons.