Cristiano Ronaldo’s first season in Saudi Arabia ended on Wednesday, despite the absence of the attacking star, as Al-Nassr defeated Al-Fateh 3-0 to finish second in the league.
Ronaldo, who joined the club in December before scoring 14 goals in 16 league games, suffered a muscle injury four days earlier and was rested ahead of Portugal’s European Championship qualifiers against Bosnia and Herzegovina and Iceland in June.
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In the absence of the 38-year-old, Anderson Talisca took center stage to score two goals. He also assisted Mohamed Marwan for a third.
Al-Ittihad, who had previously won the league championship in the penultimate round, celebrated its first title since 2009 with a 2-0 victory over Al-Tai.
Moroccan Abdel Razzak Hamdallah opened the scoring with a penalty kick in the second half, which also secured the Golden Boot with his 21st goal of the season. Former Leeds United player Helder Costa added Wolverhampton II in stoppage time.
It is the first league title won by coach Nuno Santo, just 18 months after the Portuguese coach was fired by Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League.
Last season’s champions, Al-Hilal, finished third with a 3-2 victory over Al-Raed.
The league will expand from 16 to 18 teams next season.
