Cristiano Ronaldo and his Al Nassr team have received an unexpected last -minute boost and now the Riyadh team can still be eligible for the Asian Champions League next season.
A last -minute decision went a way for the last round of the competition matches on Monday and with the extra unexpected three points, Nassr is again contrary to the remaining Champions League place.
Al Nassr managed to prove the Saudi sports arbitration center that on the day of their loss against Al Orobah (2-1, on Matchday 23), already Orobah's number 2 keeper, Rafi Al Ruwaili, was not registered in accordance with the regulations to participate in the match. At the start of the season he still officially worked as a police officer and he had not succeeded in fulfilling the required documentation of the competition.
The case was initially closed due to lack of evidence, but was reopened at the request of Al Nassr and was eventually ruled in their favor yesterday. With the extra three points finally added, Nassr now has 70 points, only two behind Al Hilal, which now has a Champions Elite place. Al Qadsiah drops to fourth place with 68 points. A situation that makes Monday's matchday crucial.
Al Hilal is second with 72 points and a victory against Michel's Al Qadsiah in the last game would place them in the Champions League, alongside Benzemas Al ITTIHAD, champion of the Saudi competition, and Al Ahli, winners of the 2025 Asian Champions League.
It will not be an easy match, because Al Qadsiah also plays an opportunity to participate in the Asian Champions League 2 (such as the Europa League) if they succeed in finishing third.
Cristiano, however, is holding on to his new chance in which Nassr has a better head-to-head with all Hilal when they are tied to points. A victory for Al Nassr in their road game against Al Fateh (12th in the table) and a slip-up (draw or defeat) for Al Hilal would perform wonders for the team of Al Nassr. Cristiano believes that the Champions League is still possible and that possibility is in the hands of Michel, Nacho and Company.