Cristiano Ronaldo handed an unexpected lifeline
Cristiano Ronaldo and his Al Nassr team have been handed an unexpected last minute boost and now the Riyadh team can still qualify for the Asian Champions League next season.
A last minute decision has gone their way ahead of Monday’s final round of league games and with the additional unexpected three points, Al Nassr are back in contention for the remaining Champions League spot.
Al Nassr managed to prove to the Saudi Sports Arbitration Center that on the day of their loss to Al Orobah (2-1, on Matchday 23), Al Orobah’s number 2 goalkeeper, Rafi Al Ruwaili, was not registered in accordance with the regulations to participate in the match. At the start of the season, he was still officially working as a police officer and had failed to fulfil the league’s required documentation.
The case was initially closed due to lack of evidence, but was reopened at Al Nassr’s request and was eventually ruled in their favor yesterday. With the additional three points finally added, Nassr now have 70 points, just two behind Al Hilal, who now have a Champions Elite spot. Al Qadsiah drops to fourth place with 68 points. A situation that makes Monday’s matchday crucial.
Al Hilal are second with 72 points and a win against Michel’s Al Qadsiah in the final game would put them in the Champions League, alongside Benzema’s Al Ittihad, champions of the Saudi league, and Al Ahli, winners of the 2025 Asian Champions League.
It won’t be an easy match as Al Qadsiah are also in with a chance playing to participate in the Asian Champions League 2 (like the Europa League) if they manage to finish third.
🚨🟡🔵 𝐔𝐑𝐆𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐄 — O site da Federação Saudita atualizou a tabela com as pontuações corrigidas do Al Nassr e do Al Orobah. pic.twitter.com/ksihCEegXU
— Central do Arabão (@centraldoarabao) May 26, 2025
However, Cristiano is clinging to his new opportunity with Al Nassr having a better head-to-head with Al Hilal if they are tied on points. A win for Al Nassr in their away match against Al Fateh (12th in the table) and a slip-up (draw or defeat) for Al Hilal would work wonders for Al Nassr’s team. Cristiano believes the Champions League is still possible and that possibility is in the hands of Michel, Nacho and company.
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