Cristiano Ronaldo sends out message as Al-Nassr superstar prepares to return to Saudi Pro League action against Al-Wehda

Ronaldo was one of several high-profile players left out of Stefano Pioli's matchday squad when Al-Nassr faced Al-Hazem in the round of 32 stage of the King's Cup. His exclusion was a calculated decision by Pioli, who wanted to give his veteran forward some much-needed rest ahead of crucial fixtures after he starred in Al-Nassr's comprehensive 3-0 victory over Al-Ettifaq in the Saudi Pro League the previous week.

Despite Ronaldo's absence, Al-Nassr secured a thrilling 2-1 win over Al-Hazem. The game saw Sadio Mane opening the scoring during first-half stoppage time, but it was Nawaf Boushal who scored the decisive winner, ensuring his side's progression to the next round.

In the lead-up to his return, Ronaldo took to social media to share an inspiring message with his fans. Posting a series of training photos, the Portuguese superstar captioned them: "Working hard 🔥".

As Al-Nassr looks to maintain its momentum in both domestic and continental competitions, Ronaldo’s return is well-timed. After facing Al-Wehda in the Saudi Pro League on Friday, they will lock horns against Qatari side Al-Rayyan in a crucial AFC Champions League encounter on Monday. Having already netted five goals in six appearances this season, a refreshed Ronaldo looks poised to add to his goal tally and help his team in these high-stakes encounters.