Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr will be in the spotlight when they host Karim Benzema’s Al Hilal in a potentially Saudi Pro League title decider on Tuesday 12 May at Alawwal Park in Riyadh.
Victory in the Riyadh derby could give Al Nassr and Ronaldo their first Saudi Pro League title since the Portuguese superstar’s arrival in the Saudi capital in January 2023. As the championship race approaches its final stage, the stakes could hardly be higher for both sides.
Al Hilal, the most successful club in Saudi Arabian football history, comes with a rich heritage and an impressive trophy cabinet. However, Al Nassr currently hold the advantage at the top of the table, along with home support and the presence of Cristiano Ronaldowho, even at the age of 41, continues to perform at an elite level.
The titular equation is simple. Al Hilal must beat Al Nassr and then win their remaining games against Neom and Al Fayh to secure a record 20th Saudi Pro League crown. But for Al Nassr, the task is more straightforward, a win over their fiercest rivals on Tuesday would be enough to seal the league title and end a seven-year wait for domestic glory.
Al Nassr go into the match with momentum after recording a 4-2 away win over Al Shabab. Ronaldo played in this encounter by scoring 100th league goal for the club, further underscoring his impact since his move to Saudi Arabia. The win also helped Al Nassr bounce back significantly from a disappointing 3-1 defeat to Al Qadsiah in their previous match.
Al Hilal, meanwhile, have quietly built their own momentum and enter the derby on the back of four straight wins. The visitors will rely on their experience in high-pressure matches and the management of Karim Benzema as they try keep the title fight alive. Al Nassr vs Al Hilal in title decider (screenshot from X)
HEAD TO HEAD
The rivalry between Al Nassr and Al Hilal remains one of the biggest parts of Saudi football. Historically, Al Hilal have dominated the derby and remain the country’s most decorated club with 19 league titles compared to Al Nassr’s 10.
Across previous meetings between the two sides, Al Hilal have the clear upper hand with 38 derby wins. Al Nassr won 14 times while 15 matches ended in draws. In the reverse fixture, Al Hilal beat AL Nassr 3-1 at the Kingdom Arena.
WHEN IS THE MATCH?
The Saudi Pro League clash between Al Nassr and Al Hilal will kick off on Tuesday, May 12 at 9:30 PM local time (11:30 PM IST) at the Alawwal Park in Riyadh.
WHERE TO WATCH?
Al Nassr vs Al Hilal Saudi Pro League 2025-26 match will be streamed live on FanCode platform in India.
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Published on:
12 May 2026 16:49 IST
