According to “Varzesh3,” the Middle East newspaper has extensively analyzed the potential Asian qualification scenarios for Saudi teams and stated that if Al-Nassr fails to qualify for the AFC Champions League Elite, Ronaldo may leave. The report mentions: The Saudi Professional League is nearing its final stages, with the competition not only for the title but also for the last AFC Champions League Elite spot heating up between Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr. Meanwhile, Al-Ahli has already secured its spot by winning continental competitions.

According to possible scenarios, if Al-Ittihad wins the league, they, along with the second-placed team and Al-Ahli, will qualify for the AFC Champions League Elite. In this case, the King’s Cup winner will enter the second-tier AFC Champions League. However, if Al-Ittihad wins both the league and the cup, the second and third-placed teams will qualify for the Elite League.

Currently, Al-Ahli has secured its spot by winning the continental title, and Al-Ittihad is the closest contender to join them. Al-Ittihad leads the table with a six-point advantage over Al-Hilal and needs three wins from their remaining five matches to secure the title. The upcoming match between Al-Nassr and Al-Ittihad (scheduled for Wednesday) could be decisive. If Al-Ittihad wins, Al-Nassr will have no chance of finishing first or second, especially if Al-Hilal defeats Al-Raed on the same night.

This match has raised serious concerns for both teams. A potential loss for Al-Nassr would almost eliminate them from the title race and reduce their chances of finishing second. On the other hand, if Al-Ittihad loses, their lead could be threatened. The result of this match heavily depends on the simultaneous Al-Hilal vs. Al-Raed fixture.

Al-Qadisiyah still has a slim chance of finishing second. For this scenario, they must win all four remaining matches (including against Al-Hilal in Riyadh) and hope for their rivals to slip. However, this scenario is highly unlikely.

Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr face more sensitive conditions. If both teams finish level on points, Al-Hilal may lose the runner-up spot due to tie-breakers. However, Al-Hilal currently holds second place and will qualify for the AFC Champions League Elite if they win all five remaining matches. The same applies to Al-Nassr, provided they win all their remaining fixtures.

The consequences of failing to qualify for the AFC Champions League Elite would be severe. The tournament, featuring Asia’s best, will hold its final in Saudi Arabia. Missing out could be “disastrous” for Al-Hilal, who must also prepare for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup in the U.S.

If Al-Nassr fails to qualify, many of their fans’ dreams, including continental glory, will be dashed. There are also speculations about the departure of Stefano Pioli, the Italian coach, and even Cristiano Ronaldo, as reports suggest he may leave if the team misses Asian competitions.

Finally, the remaining fixtures are crucial. Al-Hilal will face Al-Raed, Al-Orobah, Al-Fateh, Al-Wehda, and Al-Qadisiyah—four of which are fighting relegation. Al-Nassr will play Al-Ittihad, Al-Khaleej, Al-Taawoun, and Al-Fateh, with three teams battling to avoid the drop.