Cristiano Ronaldo’s Saudi Debut Delayed, Misses First Match

Cristiano Ronaldo will not feature in Al-Nassr's opening Saudi Pro League fixture against Al-Fateh after manager Ange Postecoglou left the Portuguese superstar out of the squad. The decision comes just days after Ronaldo married long-time partner Georgina Rodriguez on August 11 and returned to Al-Nassr training on August 13.

Ronaldo's Delayed Debut

Ronaldo's absence is linked to his extended break from the club, according to Saudi newspaper Al-Riyadiah. The 41-year-old had been away for more than a month after representing Portugal at the 2026 FIFA World Cup and did not feature in any of Al-Nassr's four pre-season friendlies.

Al-Nassr's Title Defence

Al-Nassr enter the new campaign as defending champions after ending a seven-year wait for the Saudi Pro League title last season. They also have the recent advantage over Al-Fateh, winning four of their last five meetings. Ronaldo has scored in all five of those encounters, making his absence an even bigger blow for Postecoglou's side.

Ronaldo's Return

Ronaldo did receive a warm welcome from his teammates when he returned to training, but Postecoglou appears unwilling to rush him back into competitive action without sufficient preparation. The Al-Nassr captain will therefore watch from the sidelines as the defending Saudi champions begin their title defence. He will not be the only notable absentee, with defender Abdulelah Al-Amri also left out, while goalkeeper Nawaf Al-Aqidi is unavailable with a shoulder injury.

What's Next for Al-Nassr

Bento is expected to start in goal, with Mohamed Simakan and Inigo Martinez likely to form the central defensive partnership. Abdullah Al-Hamdan should lead the attack in Ronaldo's absence. Al-Nassr will look to their bench for a strong performance, with Postecoglou hoping to secure a win without his star forward. The team's ability to adapt and overcome Ronaldo's absence will be put to the test in this crucial match.

Source: Yen ALL