Al Nassr begin their Saudi Pro League title defence under real pressure, with financial difficulties and a thin summer transfer window casting a shadow over what should be a confident start to the 2026-27 season. Reports indicate the club carried debts of approximately 800 million Saudi riyals into the transfer market, restricting their ability to strengthen the squad. Portuguese midfielder Samo Costa is the only confirmed foreign signing so far, a situation that has frustrated supporters who expected more ambitious recruitment from the reigning champions.

Behind the scenes, the club is also navigating internal uncertainty. Goalkeeper Nawaf Al-Aqidi is reportedly unhappy at the prospect of a reduced role and has been linked with a departure, adding squad stability concerns to an already complicated pre-season picture. Separately, reports suggest the club plans administrative changes, moving away from foreign staff in certain roles in favour of local leadership.

Despite all of this, Al Nassr go into the new campaign as champions, sitting top of the table on 86 points from last season, two ahead of Al Hilal. Cristiano Ronaldo, fresh from his widely reported private wedding to Georgina Rodriguez, is expected back in Riyadh and remains central to Ange Postecoglou's plans. The squad's first test arrives on Saturday, August 15, when Al Fateh visit Al-Awwal Park for the opening matchday. How Al Nassr manage the gap between their title-winning status and their current off-pitch turbulence will define the early weeks of this season.