Deniz Hummet struck in the 30th minute, and the Japanese side held firm to become the first from their country to win the competition.

Ronaldo, with 28 goals this season, was left frustrated again just days after Al-Nassr dropped points in the league.

The focus now shifts to Thursday, when Al-Nassr can seal the Saudi Pro League title if they beat Damac.

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The 41-year-old converted a penalty and added a second from open play to reach 23 goals in 23 league matches this season.

Sadio Mané also struck twice, while Abdullah Al Hamdan scored in first-half stoppage time. Al-Najma briefly threatened through Rakan Al Tulayhi and Felippe Cardoso, but Al-Nassr’s firepower proved decisive.

The victory, their 13th straight, keeps Al-Nassr six points clear of Al-Hilal at the top.

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The 41-year-old Al-Nassr forward completed the deal through his newly formed CR7 Sports Investments. He joins a Saudi-led consortium headed by Mohammed Al-Khereiji, who praised Ronaldo’s “unmatched knowledge” of the Spanish leagues.

“It has been a long-held ambition of mine to contribute to football beyond the pitch,” Ronaldo said in a statement. “UD Almeria has strong foundations and clear potential for growth.”

Almeria is owned by the SMC Group, which has deep ties to Saudi Arabian investment.

Almeria currently sits third in the Segunda Division, just two points off the lead with 15 games remaining.

While Ronaldo remains the world’s highest-paid player with a £177m annual salary in the Saudi Pro League, this move marks a significant step toward his post-playing career in the country where he scored a record 450 goals for Real Madrid.

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Despite recent reports of frustration with the club’s leadership and missing three matches, the 41-year-old returned to score twice on Saturday, sending Al-Nassr one point clear at the top of the Saudi Pro League.

“I’m very happy,” Ronaldo told broadcaster Thmanyah. “I belong to Saudi Arabia. It’s a country that has welcomed me, my family, and my friends. I want to continue here.”

The Portuguese star, who joined in 2022 on a record £177m-a-year deal, is now focused on securing the league title and advancing in the AFC Asian Cup.

“The most important thing is we keep pushing… let’s see at the end of the season,” he added.

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The 41-year-old captain had missed three matches amid reported frustrations with how the Public Investment Fund (PIF) manages the Saudi Pro League.

Ronaldo’s unrest reportedly stems from the transfer of former teammate Karim Benzema to title rivals Al-Hilal.

The league recently issued a firm reminder that “no individual” dictates its decisions, but Al-Nassr welcomed their star back with a social media teaser of his captain’s armband before kickoff.

Despite his record £177m annual salary, Ronaldo has won only one trophy since joining in 2022.

This win keeps Al-Nassr just one point behind leaders Al-Hilal in a tense title race.

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The 41-year-old missed Friday’s clash against Al-Ittihad following reports from Portuguese outlet A Bola that he is refusing to play.

The friction reportedly stems from Ronaldo’s dissatisfaction with how the club is being managed by the Public Investment Fund (PIF).

Sources suggest the breaking point was the recent transfer of Karim Benzema from Al-Ittihad to Al-Nassr’s rivals, Al-Hilal—a move that allegedly left Ronaldo frustrated with the league’s internal dynamics.

The Saudi Pro League issued a firm response to the tension, stating that while Ronaldo has been vital to their growth, “no individual—however significant—determines decisions beyond their own club.”

Despite scoring 91 goals for Al-Nassr, Ronaldo has won only one trophy since joining in 2022.

With Al-Nassr currently trailing league leaders Al-Hilal by four points, the superstar’s future remains uncertain just months after signing a contract extension.

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The 41-year-old was dropped from Al-Nassr’s squad for Monday’s match against Al-Riyadh amid reports from A Bola that he refused to play.

Ronaldo is allegedly frustrated with the league’s management after former teammate Karim Benzema was permitted to move to rivals Al-Hilal, while Al-Nassr’s own January recruitment was limited.

Despite Ronaldo’s 91 goals for the club, the league spokesperson insisted that all teams operate independently under a fixed financial framework, noting that “recent transfer activity demonstrates that independence clearly.”

Ronaldo, who is under contract until 2027, returned to training on Wednesday, but his participation in Friday’s match against Al-Ittihad remains uncertain as doubts over his future in Saudi Arabia intensify.

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Reports from Portuguese outlet A Bola suggest the 40-year-old is refusing to play, citing frustration with the club’s management and the league’s shifting power dynamics.

Ronaldo is reportedly “frustrated” by rivals Al-Hilal signing his former teammate Karim Benzema. While Al-Nassr has remained quiet in the January window, their rivals continue to strengthen.

Despite scoring 961 career goals and being the league’s top scorer, Ronaldo has only won the Arab Club Champions Cup since joining in 2022. Al-Nassr currently trails behind Al-Hilal and Al-Ahli.

As Saudi Arabia moves toward a more “frugal” financial model for its clubs, Ronaldo appears dissatisfied with Al-Nassr’s inability to keep pace with the spending of other PIF-backed teams.

Ronaldo, who earns £177m a year, signed a contract extension through 2027 last June. However, this latest standoff echoes his high-profile exit from Manchester United, leaving fans wondering if his time in Riyadh is nearing a bitter end.

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President Donald Trump hosted the black-tie event, using the occasion to praise closer ties with Saudi Arabia.

Ronaldo’s presence highlights his role as a key figure in the Kingdom’s economic diversification plan, which seeks to boost sports and tourism.

The athlete, who reportedly earns $200 million annually from his Saudi league deal, has referred to MBS as “our boss” and aims to use his influence for “world peace.”

The dinner was one of Ronaldo’s first known visits to the US since 2016, bringing renewed attention to a past sexual assault allegation, which US prosecutors declined to charge in 2019.

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Ronaldo, who had clashed with Irish boss Heimir Hallgrimsson before the game, received a straight red card in the 60th minute for elbowing defender Dara O’Shea after a VAR review.

The incident came with Portugal already trailing from a Troy Parrott first-half double.

Heimir Hallgrimsson suggested he might have gotten “in Ronaldo’s head” due to their pre-match mind games, which focused on the referee.

Roberto Martinez (Portugal coach) defended Ronaldo, calling the red card “harsh” and accusing O’Shea of falling “dramatically.” Martinez also criticized Hallgrimsson for speaking about the referees pre-match.

Ronaldo is suspended for Sunday’s qualifier against Armenia and potentially faces a three-match ban for violent conduct.

If applied, this ban could force him to miss the start of Portugal’s World Cup group stage games next summer, should they qualify automatically.

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