Al Nassr are carrying the weight of champions into a new season, but the start of the 2026-27 campaign has been anything but straightforward. The club finished last season on 86 points to claim the Saudi Pro League title after an eight-year wait, edging Al Hilal by two points, and new head coach Ange Postecoglou has inherited a squad built to defend that status. The early weeks, though, have been defined as much by off-pitch noise as by football.

Cristiano Ronaldo missed the club's first two league fixtures after his wedding to Georgina Rodriguez, with Saudi reports confirming the reason for his absence. His delayed return has raised questions about his physical readiness under a new manager with a demanding style, and those questions will only sharpen the longer he takes to find his feet in the new system.

The goalkeeping situation has added further uncertainty. Al Nassr lost out on Mohamed Al-Owais, who returned to Al Hilal, and are now navigating a complicated picture involving Nawaf Al-Aqidi, who has attracted interest from Al Shabab, and Raghd Al-Najjar, whose contract has been renewed. French international Mike Maignan of AC Milan has emerged as a target to resolve the position. Meanwhile, the club completed the signing of Portuguese midfielder Samu Costa from Real Mallorca despite reported debts of around 800 million Saudi riyals, with the Saudi Pro League clarifying the financial regulations that permitted the deal.

On the pitch, Al Nassr host Al Fateh at Al-Awwal Park on August 15, a fixture that offers Postecoglou's side an early chance to build momentum. A King's Cup campaign also begins on August 18 against Al-Diriyah.