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Tag: Saudi Arabia

  • Al Nassr Clinch 2025/26 Saudi Pro League Title After 4-1 Win Over Damac, Ronaldo Stars With Brace

    Al Nassr have been crowned champions of the 2025/26 Roshn Saudi Pro League after a commanding 4-1 victory over Damac at Al-Awwal Park in Riyadh on Thursday, May 21, 2026.

    The win secured the club’s 11th league title and their first domestic crown since 2019, ending years of near misses in the Saudi top flight.

    The result also sealed an unassailable lead at the top of the table, confirming Al Nassr as champions ahead of rivals Al Hilal.

    Ronaldo leads from the front

    Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo delivered a standout performance, scoring twice in the second half, including a free-kick and a close-range finish.

    He was named Man of the Match after another decisive display in a season where he reportedly hit around 30 league goals.

    Sadio Mané and Kingsley Coman also found the net as Al Nassr dominated proceedings, while Damac managed a consolation goal from the penalty spot.

    Title secured in style

    Al Nassr entered the fixture needing a win to confirm the championship and delivered a dominant performance in front of their home fans.

    The club finished the season with over 86 points and one of the highest goal tallies in the league, underlining their attacking strength throughout the campaign.

    The victory sparked celebrations inside the stadium, with emotional scenes as players and fans marked a long-awaited domestic triumph.

    Ronaldo’s milestone moment

    The title adds another achievement to Ronaldo’s decorated career, giving him league titles in five different countries.

    It also marks his first major domestic league title since joining Saudi Arabia, reinforcing his influence on the club’s rise.

    Al Nassr’s success has been widely celebrated across the football world, with supporters praising the team’s consistency and Ronaldo’s leadership throughout the season.

  • 70-Year-Old Nigerian Pilgrim Dies During Hajj In Saudi Arabia

    A 70-year-old Nigerian pilgrim from Nasarawa State, Hajiya Rukayya Haliru, has died in the Holy City of Makkah, Saudi Arabia, during the ongoing Hajj pilgrimage.

    The death was confirmed on Wednesday by the Nasarawa State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board.

    Pilgrim reportedly fell ill in Makkah

    The Executive Secretary of the board, Mallam Idris Ahmad Almakura, disclosed that the deceased was from Keffi Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.

    According to him, the elderly pilgrim complained of illness before her death.

    Almakura explained that medical personnel attached to the Nasarawa pilgrims’ contingent attended to her immediately after she reported feeling unwell.

    “She complained of illness and despite medical efforts, she drew her last breath this morning,” he said.

    Funeral rites conducted in Saudi Arabia

    The board stated that officials, alongside family members of the deceased, were present at the hospital to oversee the necessary burial arrangements.

    Her remains were later moved to the Grand Mosque in Makkah for the Janazah prayer, an important Islamic funeral rite for deceased Muslims.

    The funeral prayers were attended by relatives, officials of the pilgrims’ welfare board, and fellow Nigerian pilgrims in Saudi Arabia.

    Pilgrims advised to prioritise health

    Following the incident, Almakura urged other pilgrims to pay close attention to their health throughout the Hajj exercise.

    He advised them to quickly report any signs of illness to the medical teams deployed by the board for immediate treatment.

    The executive secretary also extended condolences to the Nasarawa State Government, the family of the deceased, and staff of the pilgrims’ welfare board.

    In a separate reaction, a relative of the deceased, Abdulwab Aboki, appreciated the board for supporting the family and handling the burial process transparently.

  • Saudi PIF Sells 70% of Al-Hilal to Kingdom Holding in $373m Deal

    Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) has signed a binding agreement to sell its 70 per cent stake in Al-Hilal Saudi Club to Kingdom Holding Company, marking a major shift in the ownership structure of one of Asia’s most successful football teams.

    Deal details emerge

    The transaction, reported by the Saudi Press Agency, values the Riyadh-based club at about 1.4 billion Saudi riyals.

    Kingdom Holding, chaired by billionaire Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, will pay 840 million riyals to acquire the controlling stake, with funding sourced internally.

    The remaining 30 per cent stake is expected to be held by the Al-Hilal Non-Profit Foundation.

    Shift in Saudi sports model

    The deal makes Al-Hilal the first of Saudi Arabia’s “Big Four” clubs to move from state-backed ownership under PIF to private sector control.

    Analysts say the move aligns with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 strategy aimed at reducing government ownership and expanding private investment in the sports sector.

    Prince Alwaleed speaks

    Prince Alwaleed, a longtime supporter and honorary member of the club, said the acquisition is focused on unlocking commercial opportunities while preserving the club’s legacy.

    He noted that Al-Hilal’s identity and history remain central to the new ownership direction.

    What happens next

    The deal is still subject to regulatory approval from the General Authority for Competition.

    However, preparations for administrative and commercial transition are expected to begin immediately ahead of the new football season.

    What it means

    Industry watchers say the move could set the tone for similar ownership changes involving other top Saudi clubs like Al-Nassr, Al-Ittihad, and Al-Ahli, which are still under PIF control.