Cristiano Ronaldo’s hopes of finally landing a league title with Al Nassr are set for a huge boost.
The Portuguese forward landed at the Saudi Pro League club in January 2023 tasked with taking the club to new heights both on and off the pitch.
While Al Nassr have become a more recognisable name in the football world, the Riyadh-based club are yet to show their metal under the leadership of the five-time Ballon d’Or winner.
With just the solitary Arab Club Champions Cup under his belt since his money-spinning switch to the Middle East, Ronaldo’s time at the club remains unfulfilled.
And it is likely to stay that way unless Al Nassr can finally get their hands on the Saudi Pro league title for the first time since 2019.
However, the imminent arrival of Bayern Munich winger Kingsley Coman could be the missing piece of the puzzle in Al Nassr’s attempts to wrestle the title back from Al Ittihad.
Coman is on the verge of completing a £25.8million move to Al Nassr having travelled to Saudi Arabia on Thursday to undergo a medical.
The Frenchman, who is expected to earn around £18m a year, was left out of Bayern Munich’s squad for this weekend’s German Super Cup due to the impending move.
Coman has two years remaining on his Bayern deal after initially joining the Bundesliga giants on loan in 2015 before making the move permanent two years later.
Now aged 29, Coman brings a wealth of experience at the highest level and crucial know-how when it comes to title success.
Coman has won the league title in 13 out of his last 14 seasons with the bulk of those triumphs coming at Bayern Munich.
Prior to his switch to Bavaria, Coman picked up back-to-back Serie A titles with Juventus which followed two title wins with formative club Paris Saint-Germain.
Coman has also proved he is a player for the big occasion having netted the winner for Bayern in the 2020 Champions League final against PSG.
His roll of honour will undoubtedly be music to Ronaldo’s ears as he enters his third campaign at Al Nassr.
Ronaldo’s impact has been undoubted on the pitch having finished both seasons as the league’s top scorer.
And few would bet against him repeating that feat again with the help of Coman.
But Ronaldo’s legacy at the club will be based on his ability to land a league title and in doing so ending the six-year duopoly of Al Ittihad and Al Hilal.
Ronaldo was expected to leave the club at the end of last season for a switch to a Saudi Pro League rival.
But a bumper new deal saw him stay put in a contract that is believed to be the richest in sporting history.
The ex-Manchester United star will earn a staggering £178million a year, which equates to £487,671 per day.
And that will see him continue to shine beyond his 42nd birthday.
After announcing his contract extension in June, Ronaldo wrote on Instagram: “A new chapter begins. Same passion, same dream. Let’s make history together.”
Al Nassr will fancy their chances of ending their title drought this season with a squad heavily influenced by star European names.
Ronaldo can once again call upon former Liverpool forward Sadio Mane, ex-Manchester City defender Aymeric Laporte and Portuguese midfielder.
The experience of former Inter star Marcelo Brozovic remains a key component of the team while Inigo Martinez and Joao Felix have been added to the squad this summer.
Ronaldo and co kick off their title bid with a clash against Al Taawoun on August 29.