Cristiano Ronaldo misses out on Saudi Player of the Season award to ex-Premier League star

Cristiano Ronaldo has been overlooked for the Saudi Pro League Player of the Season award – despite firing Al Nassr to the title.

The Portuguese forward scored twice in a 4-1 win over Damac on Thursday as Al Nassr secured top spot in the table.

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Ronaldo’s goals on the final day took his league tally for the season to 28 in 30 appearances.

An emotional Ronaldo broke down in tears after scoring his second of the night.

The title triumph marked the five-time Ballon d’Or winner’s first Saudi Pro League since joining Al Nassr in January 2023.

It came after his side had been made to wait to clinch their first title since 2019 after they were held by Al Hilal in their previous fixture.

Meanwhile, Al Nassr were beaten in the final of AFC Champions League Two by Gambo Osaka five days before winning the league.

Despite ending his title wait, Ronaldo missed out on the golden boot to Al Qadsiah’s Julian Quinones, who ended the campaign with 33 league goals.

As a result, Ronaldo failed to make history by winning the golden boot three seasons in a row.

Having done so in his first two full seasons with Al Nassr, he had been looking to become the first European player to finish as top scorer in three successive campaigns.

Ronaldo snubbed

The 41-year-old has now failed to win another award following the season’s conclusion.

His Al Nassr and Portugal team-mate Joao Felix has beaten Ronaldo to the Saudi Pro League Player of the Season award.

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The midfielder scored 20 goals and added 14 assists in 33 league outings this term.

Felix joined the club from Chelsea last summer after struggling during his season-long stay in England.

As well as being named Player of the Season, the 26-year-old was twice named Player of the Month this term in September and May.

Meanwhile, Al Nassr boss Jorge Jesus won the league’s Manager of the Month gong.

Both Felix and Ronaldo have been named in Portugal’s squad for this summer’s World Cup.

Roberto Martinez’s side face Chile and Nigeria in warm-up friendlies before heading to North America for the tournament.

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Portugal then take on DR Congo, Uzbekistan and Colombia during the group stage.

It will be Ronaldo’s sixth World Cup finals after first appearing back in 2006.

No player has previously appeared at six separate World Cups, although Lionel Messi could also achieve the feat this summer.