Al-Nassr

History of Al-Nassr FC: Al-Alamy, Majed Abdullah and the Title of the Cristiano Ronaldo Era

A historic Riyadh club, Asia's first representative at a FIFA Club World Championship and world-famous since Cristiano Ronaldo's arrival in 2023, Al-Nassr won their eleventh Saudi championship in 2025–26.

1. Foundation and Yellow and Blue (1955–1976)

Al-Nassr — "the victory" — was founded on 24 October 1955 in Riyadh by a group of young enthusiasts. The club adopted yellow and blue and quickly established itself as one of the capital's two giants, alongside Al-Hilal, in a rivalry that shapes all of Saudi football.

2. Majed Abdullah and the Golden Age (1977–1999)

The club lived its golden age thanks to Majed Abdullah, nicknamed "the Desert Pelé", a legendary striker who wore its colours for more than twenty years and became the greatest goalscorer in Saudi football history. Al-Nassr won several championships in the 1980s and 1990s, then made its mark on the continental stage with the 1998 Asian Cup Winners' Cup and the 1998 Asian Super Cup.

3. "Al-Alamy": The First Club World Championship (2000)

In January 2000 Al-Nassr represented Asia at the very first FIFA Club World Championship, held in Brazil, alongside Real Madrid, Manchester United, Corinthians and Vasco da Gama. That historic participation earned the nickname "Al-Alamy" — the international, the global one. More uneven years followed, punctuated by national titles in 2015 and 2019.

4. Cristiano Ronaldo and the Saudi Revolution (2023–2025)

On 30 December 2022, Al-Nassr announced the arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo, a five-time Ballon d'Or winner, a transfer that propelled Saudi football into a new dimension and captured global attention. Majority-owned by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund from 2023, the club went on to sign Sadio Mané, Marcelo Brozović, Aymeric Laporte, Otávio and later João Félix. It won the 2023 Arab Club Champions Cup, and Ronaldo repeatedly finished as the league's top scorer, extending his historic pursuit of goals.

5. The 2025–26 Season: Champions of Saudi Arabia

The 2025–26 season brought the long-awaited crowning: Al-Nassr won the Saudi Pro League, their eleventh championship, taking the crown from defending champions Al-Ittihad. It was the club's first national title since Cristiano Ronaldo's arrival, adding a Saudi championship to an already unrivalled record.

6. Looking to 2026–27

Qualified for the AFC Champions League Elite as champions, Al-Nassr are now targeting the continental title still missing from their history. Playing at Al-Awwal Park in Riyadh, the club embodies more than any other the ambition of a country that will host the 2034 World Cup.