Only days after lifting the championship trophy, the Riyadh side found itself facing disciplinary action from Saudi soccer authorities after the title-winning clash against Damac. Cristiano Ronaldo and Al-Nassr were still celebrating a long-awaited Saudi Pro League triumph when fresh controversy suddenly emerged around the club. Only days after lifting the championship trophy, the Riyadh side found itself facing disciplinary action from Saudi soccer authorities after the title-winning clash against Damac. The Portuguese superstar had played a decisive role in securing the championship, scoring twice during the crucial victory. However, while attention initially focused on Ronaldo’s emotional celebrations and Al-Nassr finally ending its wait for league glory, another development quietly unfolded behind the scenes. The Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF)’s Disciplinary and Ethics Committee officially announced sanctions against Al-Nassr after incidents that occurred during the club’s final league match of the season against Damac. According to the committee’s ruling, the club received a financial penalty of 60,000 Saudi riyals ($16,000). The decision came shortly after Al-Nassr celebrated winning the Saudi Pro League title for the first time since Cristiano Ronaldo’s arrival in the Middle East. 🏆🎶💛🎬 pic.twitter.com/PENgMZndQ6— AlNassr FC (@AlNassrFC_EN) May 22, 2026 The reason behind the punishment revealed The mystery surrounding the disciplinary action was eventually clarified in the committee’s official report. Al-Nassr was fined because supporters threw three water bottles onto the pitch during the match against Damac. Authorities confirmed that the objects did not injure any players, referees, or staff members. The match itself also continued without interruption despite the incident inside the stadium. Still, the committee concluded that the behavior violated the league’s disciplinary and conduct regulations. Nassr and Cristiano Ronaldo.A bond between a great club and a leader who embraced it. 💛 https://t.co/wDg8NHWkIs pic.twitter.com/fi90DSPDJ5— AlNassr FC (@AlNassrFC_EN) May 22, 2026 As a result, the financial punishment was formally imposed on the club. According to reports from Saudi media and the official committee statement, the incident was classified as a breach of competition regulations despite causing no direct harm. Celebrations mixed with controversy The disciplinary case arrived during what should have been one of the happiest moments in recent Al-Nassr history. The club had just completed a dramatic title race, finishing ahead of Al-Hilal after an intense battle that lasted until the final round. Cristiano Ronaldo once again proved decisive under pressure. The forward scored two goals in the 4-1 victory over Damac, helping Al-Nassr secure the championship in front of its home supporters. The achievement carried huge importance for both player and club. Since joining Al-Nassr in 2023, Ronaldo has regularly faced criticism over the lack of major domestic trophies despite producing extraordinary individual numbers. Now, after years of setbacks and painful defeats in finals and title races, Al-Nassr finally had the league trophy it had been chasing.
Cristiano Ronaldo wrote the 65th free-kick goal of his career against Damac FC in Al Nassr's win, but is still trailing Lionel Messi in the standings. Cristiano Ronaldo grabbed the headlines once again on Thursday, leading Al Nassr to the 2025-26 Saudi Pro League title with a decisive brace in a 4-1 victory over Damac FC. With his first goal of the evening, the Portuguese icon reached 65 career free-kick goals, though he still trails the historic record of his long-time rival, Lionel Messi. Al Nassr entered the match needing a win to prevent Al Hilal from snatching the league trophy out of their hands, and the home fans finally found relief once Ronaldo made his mark on the scoresheet. After Joao Felix was brought down on the flank, Ronaldo took charge of the set piece from a narrow angle, drilling a powerful 63rd-minute strike that skipped off the turf and eluded the entire defense to extend the lead to 3-1. The strike marked the 65th free-kick goal of Cristiano Ronaldo’s career and his sixth since joining Al Nassr. Even with the milestone, he remains a few tallies away from matching the benchmark established by Lionel Messi. The Argentine playmaker currently holds a record of 71 free-kick goals across club and international play. Messi has already added two free-kick goals to his tally for Inter Miami, scoring against cross-state rivals Orlando City and New York City FC, while Ronaldo’s strike against Damac on Thursday was his first of the year. "THE MOST FAMOUS NO. 7 OF THEM ALL!" 🗣️Cristiano Ronaldo free kick goal for Al Nassr! 🐐 pic.twitter.com/Q5I3GIsVc9— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) May 21, 2026 While the gap between the two icons stands at six, Cristiano Ronaldo continues to climb the ranks of soccer’s historic set-piece specialists. The Portuguese forward has now equaled the career record of England legend David Beckham (65) and sits just one behind Brazilian icon Ronaldinho (66), giving him plenty of room to further cement his legacy. Ronaldo snaps trophy and free-kick droughts As the final whistle blew on Thursday, television cameras caught an emotional Ronaldo breaking down in tears, celebrating the end of a frustrating trophy drought with Al Nassr. Beyond the SPL triumph, the spectacular free kick also brought a personal multi-year drought to a definitive end. The goal against Damac FC was Ronaldo’s first successful free kick since hitting the back of the net against Al Fayha back on August 27, 2024. Following that curling effort to the right side of the net, it took the forward exactly one year, eight months, and 23 days (or 632 days) to convert another set piece. Ronaldo had previously converted three free-kick goals over the course of 2024, but 2025 proved to be a difficult stretch for the forward from a dead-ball perspective. He went empty-handed on 21 free-kick attempts over the calendar year, extending that slide through six additional blocked, deflected, or missed efforts before finally regaining his clinical form on Thursday.
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