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The Hindu
6 days ago
- Sport
- The Hindu
Cristiano Ronaldo wins Saudi Pro League fans' player of the season award
Al Nassr skipper Cristiano Ronaldo has won the Saudi pro League 2025/26 fans' player of the season award for his contributions throughout the campaign. The 40-year-old forward won man of the match award 15 times in 34 league appearances. The league took to social media to announce the news on Wednesday. Having been voted Man of the Match 15 times, @Cristiano is the 2024-25 Roshn Saudi League Fans' Player of the Season 🌟🐐#FansChoiceAwards | @AlNassrFC_EN — Roshn Saudi League (@SPL_EN) July 16, 2025 The Portuguese striker recently extended his stay at Al Nassr for two years. He has recorded 93 goals and 19 assists in 105 appearances across all competitions for the Saudi club, but is yet to win a league title. In the recently concluded season, Al Nassr finished third in the points table, missing out on a spot in next year's AFC Champions League Elite and instead will play in the AFC Champions League 2. Ronaldo also recently celebrated his third international title as Portugal defeated Spain to win the UEFA Nations League.
Time of India
15-07-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Saudi Pro League: Cristiano Ronaldo gets new Portuguese ally in bid to end title drought in Saudi Arabia - who is the new Al Nassr coach
Cristiano Ronaldo in action for Al Nassr in the 2024/25 campaign (Image by) Jorge Jesus has been named the new head coach of Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr, replacing Stefano Pioli. The Portuguese coach said he joined the team after an invitation from star man Cristiano Ronaldo . 'Without his invitation, I certainly wouldn't be there. The motivation will be great. I'm going to try to ensure that Al Nassr, which is one of the best clubs in Saudi Arabia, can win titles. Cristiano Ronaldo is a player who has always won everything he's played for. He hasn't won in Saudi Arabia yet. I'll see if I can help him,' Jesus told reporters, as quoted by IANS. Jesus had earlier managed Al Nassr's rivals Al Hilal SFC for two seasons. He left the club after their AFC Champions League Elite 2024/25 semi-final exit. However, he enjoyed success during his time there, winning the Saudi Pro League, King's Cup, and Saudi Super Cup in the 2023/24 season. Cristiano Ronaldo on his Instagram story (Screengrab) The 70-year-old has also coached major clubs like Benfica and Sporting CP in Portugal, and Flamengo in Brazil. At Al Nassr, Jesus will work with Ronaldo, who recently extended his contract with the club until 2027. The Portuguese star welcomed the coach on social media, writing, 'Bem-vindo (Welcome), Mister Jorge Jesus,' on an Instagram Story. Poll Do you think Jorge Jesus will lead Al Nassr to win titles? Yes, definitely No, I don't think so. Ronaldo joined Al Nassr in late 2022 after leaving Manchester United. He has been in excellent form, scoring 93 goals in 105 matches across competitions for the club, but it yet to win the Saudi Pro League. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
Hans India
15-07-2025
- Sport
- Hans India
Without Ronaldo's invitation, I wouldn't be here: Jorge Jesus on becoming Al Nassr head coach
Jorge Jesus has been appointed head coach of Saudi Arabia side Al Nassr Football Club, taking over the reins from Stefano Pioli. The Portuguese tactician has revealed that Ronaldo invited him to join the team. Jesus was previously with Al Nassr's Saudi Pro League rivals Al Hilal SFC for two seasons in what was his second stint with the Riyadh-based club. 'Without his invitation, I certainly wouldn't be there. The motivation will be great. I'm going to try to ensure that Al Nassr, which is one of the best clubs in Saudi Arabia, can win titles. Cristiano Ronaldo is a player who has always won everything he's played for. He hasn't won in Saudi Arabia yet. I'll see if I can help him,' Jesus told reporters. Jesus parted ways with Al Hilal following their AFC Champions League Elit️e 2024/25 semi-final exit but did enjoy success with the four-time Asian champions, guiding the club to a treble in the 2023/24 season where Al Hilal won the Saudi Pro League, King's Cup and Saudi Super Cup. The 70-year-old had previously coached Benfica and Sporting CP in Portugal as well as Flamengo in Brazil. At Al Nassr, Jesus will be working with Portuguese icon Ronaldo, who recently extended his contract until 2027. 'Bem-vindo (Welcome), Mister Jorge Jesus,' wrote Ronaldo on an Instagram Story. Ronaldo, who joined Al Nassr in late 2022 following a high-profile exit from Manchester United, has been prolific in front of goal, scoring 93 times in 105 appearances across competitions. His move to Saudi Arabia marked a significant shift in global football, drawing international attention to the Saudi Pro League and setting the stage for a wave of star arrivals in the region.
The Sun
11-07-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
JDT talent boosts Harimau Malaya performance, says FAM
KUALA LUMPUR: The depth of talent within Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) has proven invaluable for the national men's football team, Harimau Malaya, according to Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) deputy president Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mahadi. The club's mix of local, naturalised, and heritage players has elevated the national squad's performance, helping Malaysia climb six places to 125th in the latest FIFA rankings. Mohd Yusoff noted that JDT's dominance in the Super League, with 11 consecutive titles, provides Harimau Malaya head coach Peter Cklamovski an advantage in assessing players, as most national team members are from the Southern Tigers. 'The presence of JDT players only strengthens the national squad,' he said during the FAM-Bank Islam Malaysia strategic partnership signing ceremony. JDT recently bolstered their squad with four new heritage signings: midfielder Nacho Mendez, striker Joao Figueiredo, defender Jon Irazabal, and midfielder Hector Hevel. However, only Figueiredo, Irazabal, and Hevel have represented Harimau Malaya so far, featuring in the 4-0 victory over Vietnam in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers last month. When asked if JDT's dominance creates an imbalance in the M-League, Mohd Yusoff acknowledged the gap but justified it by pointing to the club's ambitions in high-level competitions like the AFC Champions League Elite and FIFA Club World Cup. 'JDT's preparations are definitely right on track, and we must leverage this to strengthen the national team,' he added. - Bernama
New Straits Times
02-07-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Club World Cup dream within reach for JDT, says Garcia
KUALA LUMPUR: Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) have set their sights on qualifying for the Club World Cup (CWC), with chief executive officer Luis Garcia declaring the goal achievable if the team continue to progress at continental level. Garcia said consistent performances in the AFC Champions League Elite (ACLE) would boost JDT's Asian club ranking and improve their chances of representing Malaysia on the world stage. "With the potential expansion of the CWC, our aim is to consistently reach the latter stages of the ACLE," said Garcia. "This is key to strengthening our position in Asia and flying Malaysia's flag at the highest level of club football." Garcia admitted the mission won't be easy. "Asia's top level demands excellence. We cannot take our foot off the gas if we're to achieve this. Our 2025-26 signings reflect this ambition, and JDT's success will ultimately be a success for Malaysian football." The Southern Tigers have qualified for the ACLE every season since 2019 but have yet to reach the quarter-finals. Four Asian teams — Urawa Red Diamonds, Al-Hilal, Ulsan HD and Al-Ain — are representing the continent in the ongoing Club World Cup in the United States. While three sides exited in the group stage, Saudi Arabia's Al-Hilal caused a major upset by beating Premier League giants Manchester City 4-3 in the last 16 on Tuesday. They will face Brazilian side Fluminense in the quarter-finals on Saturday. Garcia added that JDT are working to meet the vision of club owner Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, who wants the club to maximise their potential and raise the profile of both Johor and Malaysian football internationally. "As Malaysia's sole representative in the ACLE since 2019, JDT have contributed the bulk of the nation's ranking points in Asia," said Garcia. "This has opened doors for more Malaysian clubs to play in Asia. But to build on that, we must aim higher, stay consistent, and push for greater representation." Last season, JDT signed several former La Liga stars, including Jese Rodríguez, Alvaro Gonzalez, Samu Castillejo, Jonathan Viera and Roque Mesa, in a squad worth nearly RM70 million. However, they were knocked out in the round of 16 by Thailand's Buriram United in a 1-0 loss.
