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Al Nassr FC

Summary

Al Nassr enter the 2026/27 Saudi Pro League season as champions, but the defence of their title begins under considerable pressure. The most immediate concern is the absence of Cristiano Ronaldo, who will miss the club's first two league fixtures after Saudi reports confirmed he is away for his wedding to Georgina Rodriguez. Ronaldo has been absent from pre-season training since Portugal's World Cup exit to Spain, and questions about his physical readiness for the new campaign have circulated widely among supporters.

The situation off the pitch adds to the uncertainty. Reports of debts reaching 800 million Saudi riyals had raised fears over the club's ability to strengthen the squad, though Al Nassr did complete the signing of Portuguese midfielder Samu Costa, offering some reassurance to fans. The goalkeeper position remains unresolved. The club wants to move on from Nawaf Al-Aqidi, whose contract situation has been a recurring source of friction, but negotiations over a move to Al Fateh have stalled, with his agent's presence in Lisbon suggesting a resolution may be close.

On the touchline, Ange Postecoglou has taken charge following Jorge Jesus's departure, and early pre-season indicators have not fully convinced observers. Al Nassr finished last season top of the table on 86 points, two ahead of Al Hilal, and the squad's quality remains intact. The season opener at Al-Awwal Park against Al Fateh on August 15 arrives quickly, and doing so without their most prominent player will test the depth and cohesion of Postecoglou's group from the very first game.

Al Nassr FC Overview

Nacho backs Ronaldo to hit 1,000 goals

Cristiano Ronaldo’s relentless pursuit of footballing history has received significant public backing from his long-time former team-mate Nacho Fernandez. The veteran defender, who also plies his trade in Saudi Arabia, believes the Portuguese superstar is destined to reach the elusive 1,000-goal milestone.

‘If Jones can become an actor!’ - Ronaldo backed for Hollywood

Cristiano Ronaldo is being backed to make the move into Hollywood movies once his playing career comes to a close, with Mikael Silvestre telling GOAL that CR7 should have no problem cracking that industry “if Vinnie Jones can become an actor”. There is no indication that the Portuguese GOAT is ready to head for Los Angeles just yet, but a new challenge will be sought at some point in the not too distant future.

Ange Postecoglou Nottingham Forest 2025-26

Embarrassment for Ange as Al-Nassr lose to Benfica B without Ronaldo

Ange Postecoglou's opening game in charge of Al-Nassr ended in embarrassment after the Saudi champions were beaten by Benfica's B team in a behind-closed-doors friendly in Lisbon. The result offered an early test for the Australian coach as he begins building his squad for the new campaign, with Cristiano Ronaldo missing the pre-season opener.

Cristiano Ronaldo Lionel Messi 2026 World Cup Portugal Argentina

Will Messi or Ronaldo grace 2030 World Cup? Future prediction

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are likely to have taken in their “last dance” at the World Cup finals, former France international Mikael Silvestre has told GOAL. Two all-time greats featured at the 2026 event, as their evergreen exploits thrill audiences across the globe, but Argentina and Portugal may be without their respective GOATs when the 2030 tournament rolls around.

Ronaldo in ‘different’ MLS franchise to Messi would ‘make sense’

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have never been team-mates, but Mikael Silvestre has told GOAL that it would “make sense” for two GOATs to be kept apart in MLS if CR7 were to join his eternal rival in the United States. There has been talk of a remarkable union being pieced together at Inter Miami, but not everybody is convinced that a couple of iconic figures should grace the same team.