Cristiano Ronaldo’s Nemesis Arrives in Saudi Arabia

Al-Nassr finally ended their trophy drought last season. For years, Cristiano Ronaldo and his Saudi club had chased major silverware, falling short in both the Saudi Pro League and cup competitions. Ronaldo’s only previous honor was effectively a pre-season trophy, the Arab Club Champions Cup. But last term, Al-Nassr just edged Riyadh rivals Al-Hilal to the Pro League title by two points, despite losing four games. Al-Hilal went unbeaten all season but nine draws proved costly. Ronaldo scored 28 league goals, but that was not enough to win the Golden Boot — Mexico’s Julián Quiñones netted 33. Nor was the Portuguese star crowned Player of the Season; that award went to his compatriot and Al-Nassr teammate João Félix. Now the landscape shifts. Title-winning coach Jorge Jesus has left to take over the Portuguese national team from Roberto Martinez, and former Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou has taken the reins at Al-Nassr. It remains to be seen whether Postecoglou’s high-octane style will suit a 41-year-old striker, but the appointment signals ambition as the club pushes for its first continental title since 1998. Al-Nassr’s rivals will not make it easy. Al-Hilal are desperate to reclaim the league crown, Al-Ahli are chasing a third consecutive AFC Champions League Elite crown, and Al-Ittihad have just made a wildcard move. The Jeddah club, who finished fifth and must go through AFC Champions League Elite qualifying, have hired Jens Wissing as head coach. The 38-year-old German arrives from Gamba Osaka, where he became a senior manager only in December. Gamba was his first proper coaching job, helped by his ties with former Benfica boss Roger Schmidt, now the J1 League’s Global Football Advisor. Wissing’s crowning moment came in the AFC Champions League Two. Gamba reached the final, where they faced Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr in May. A first-half goal from Deniz Hummet was enough to beat the Saudi giants. That defeat was major heartbreak for Ronaldo — and the man who caused it now aims to dethrone CR7 in the Saudi Pro League.