When the Riyals Clash: Al-Hilal Ready to Upset Al-Nassr as Ronaldo Chases a Thousand
24 December 2025
Rivals in the Spotlight
Former Saudi legend Mohamed Al-Deayea spoke publicly about the race between Al-Hilal (the "Leader") and Al-Nassr for this season's Saudi title.
This season has witnessed a fierce battle between the two giants, with Al-Nassr starting with a perfect run in the first nine games, reaching 27 points, four clear of the defending champions (23).
In an interview on the Saudi show Derina Ghair, Al-Deayea said: although Al-Nassr leads, Al-Hilal has what it takes to snatch the crown, and he expects it could happen, though he doesn't yet know who will win.
He added: he would love to see Al-Hilal win it, and if injuries stay away, the leader could shock Al-Nassr.
On Ronaldo, Al-Deayea commented that Ronaldo is a great player who often makes the difference, but reaching 1000 goals this season would be tough given his current scoring rate.
He added: Ronaldo could realize the dream if he plays all remaining matches and stays injury-free; perhaps hitting 1000 goals in two years is within reach, though nobody can be sure.
Al-Deayea praised Jorge Jesus for leading Al-Nassr with high professionalism and balancing matters well in the match against Al-Zawraa of Iraq.
Al-Nassr had a dominant 5-1 win over Al-Zawraa on Wednesday, in the sixth round of the AFC Champions League.
With the title race likely to hinge on injuries and form, fans are in for a dramatic finish.
Meanwhile, Ronaldo's quest for 1000 goals remains a tantalizing subplot.
Stay tuned for more from the Saudi saga.
Punchline 1: If this title race were a sniper duel, the pundits would still miss the target—just to keep us guessing who shoots first.
Punchline 2: If Ronaldo actually hits 1,000 goals this season, the calendar will file a complaint for excessive numbers and demand a timeout.
