Nigerian stars heartbroken as Cristiano Ronaldo sends message to Al Nassr Women

Nigeria Super Falcons star Ashleigh Plumptre. Photo by IMAGO

Nigeria internationals Ashleigh Plumptre and Francisca Ordega have missed out on the Saudi Women’s Premier League title after their club, Al Ittihad Women, finished second behind champions Al Nassr Women, Soccernet.ng reports.

Despite a strong campaign, Al Ittihad could not keep pace with Al Nassr, who have now won the league for the fourth time in a row. The title race was effectively decided before the final round of matches scheduled for April 23, with Al Nassr building an unassailable lead at the top of the table.

Al Nassr, already three-time defending champions, once again showed their dominance in the competition. They pulled clear with consistent performances, leaving Al Ittihad as their closest challengers but still well behind in points.

Plumptre, who joined Al Ittihad in 2023, will be particularly unhappy to lose the league title to Al Nassr.

However, the Super Falcons defender will be proud to help lift the club from 7th position last season to second on the log. The former Leicester City star played a key role at the back and also contributed going forward, showing her quality as one of the standout players in the league.

Ordega, one of Nigeria’s most experienced forwards, also made important contributions in attack, but could not inspire her side to bridge the gap to the leaders.

The league itself has been more compact this season, reduced to eight teams after some clubs withdrew. That made the competition tighter, but Al Nassr’s consistency ensured there was little doubt about the eventual winners.

Al Ittihad’s second-place finish confirms their status as one of the strongest teams in the league, but for Plumptre and Ordega, it will feel like a missed opportunity to win a major title.

Following the title win, Portugal great Cristiano Ronaldo, who plays for Al Nassr, shared a message of support for the women’s team.

Reacting on social media, the former Real Madrid forward reposted the club’s celebration and wrote: “Amazing. Well done.”

Amazing! Well done! https://t.co/INvsNfocEp

— Cristiano Ronaldo (@Cristiano) March 26, 2026

While Ronaldo’s Al Nassr are still searching for their first Saudi Pro League title since 2019, the women’s team continue to raise the club’s flag high.

The latest triumph further strengthens Al Nassr Women’s position as the dominant force in Saudi women’s football. Since the league began, they have won every edition, setting the standard for others to follow.

Imhonlamhen Eronmhonsele

Imhonlamhen is a football writer and editor at Soccernet.ng with over six years’ experience shaping its editorial voice. A lifelong Arsenal and Super Eagles fan, he combines engineering precision with training in journalism and digital media. He has covered four AFCONs and two Women’s AFCON tournaments, specialising in Super Eagles history and tracking Nigerian players worldwide, while keeping a close eye on the NPFL and emerging homegrown talents.