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Al Nassr FC

Summary

Al Nassr begin the 2026-27 season carrying the weight of expectation that comes with being Saudi Pro League champions, having ended an eight-year title drought last season under Jorge Jesus before new head coach Ange Postecoglou took charge this summer. The most pressing concern heading into the new campaign is the absence of captain Cristiano Ronaldo, who will miss the club's first two league matches after his wedding to Georgina Rodriguez. Reports confirmed his return to Riyadh is imminent, but the timing leaves Postecoglou short of his most influential player for the opening fixtures, including Saturday's home game against Al Fateh at Al-Awwal Park.

Behind the scenes, the transfer window has been complicated by financial pressures. Reports placed the club's debts at around 800 million Saudi riyals, yet the Saudi Pro League clarified the regulations that allowed Al Nassr to complete the signing of Portuguese midfielder Samu Costa from Real Mallorca. The club is also planning further moves, with reports indicating Iñigo Martínez and Pinto could be registered under the Asian player quota to free up foreign slots for additional signings. Goalkeeper Mike Maignan of AC Milan has been identified as a target, driven by uncertainty over Nawaf Al-Aqidi's future, with Al Shabab reportedly pursuing the Saudi international and contract renewal talks proving complicated.

With Al Hilal just two points behind in the final standings last season, the margin for error in the title defence is slim. The new season has started without their captain, and the squad-building picture remains unfinished.

Al Nassr FC Overview

Al-Nassr target Maignan amid Milan tension

Mike Maignan’s long-term future at AC Milan has been cast into significant doubt following reports of the goalkeeper’s growing frustration with the club’s current trajectory. Despite holding the captain’s armband and being a central figure at San Siro, the Frenchman is reportedly considering his options as Saudi Pro League giants Al-Nassr prepare a move.

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.