Cristiano Ronaldo will once again have to wait for his first competitive appearance of the 2026-27 Saudi Pro League season, as Al-Nassr host Al-Riyadh in a Riyadh derby on Matchday 2. The Portugal captain had been anticipated to make his long-awaited return, yet the latest team updates suggest a different outcome.
This decision is particularly notable given that Ronaldo has already missed Al-Nassr’s opening league match and the club’s King’s Cup triumph. His ongoing absence has thus emerged as one of the most discussed topics surrounding Al-Nassr at the start of the new campaign, especially considering the team’s strong early performance without their key player.
Despite Ronaldo’s absence, Al-Nassr have delivered encouraging performances. The club kicked off the Saudi Pro League season with a 3-0 victory over Al-Fateh, followed by a commanding 4-1 win over Al-Diriyah in the King’s Cup, providing manager Ange Postecoglou with an ideal competitive start.
The primary update ahead of the Riyadh derby is that Ronaldo has been listed among the substitutes instead of being included in Al-Nassr’s starting XI. This indicates that the 41-year-old remains an option for Postecoglou, although the manager has chosen not to deploy him from the outset.
Inevitably, this selection raises further questions about when the Portugal international will finally make his first competitive start of the season. For the moment, Al-Nassr seem to be adopting a measured approach, avoiding any premature risks with a crucial player they will rely upon during the upcoming domestic and continental fixtures.
Cristiano Ronaldo of Al Nassr lifts the Saudi Pro League Trophy
The rationale for Ronaldo’s continued absence traces back to the unique nature of his preseason preparation. The veteran forward returned from his post-World Cup hiatus later than several of his teammates, and his subsequent nuptials further reduced his available training time.
Additionally, recent reports have highlighted that Ronaldo has been managing mild discomfort in a pelvic region, prompting medical staff to oversee his rehabilitation process separately from the main squad sessions.
These factors contribute to Postecoglou’s reluctance to introduce Ronaldo directly into the starting XI. Given the extensive schedule ahead, Al-Nassr see no need to jeopardize a valuable asset in non-critical matches.
Ronaldo had previously sat out the 3-0 league opener against Al-Fateh and was also unavailable for the 4-1 King’s Cup victory over Al-Diriyah. His inclusion in the matchday roster against Al-Riyadh signifies progress, despite not securing a starting role.
Al-Nassr continue to thrive in Ronaldo’s absence
While losing a player of Ronaldo’s caliber typically poses a significant challenge, Al-Nassr have responded admirably. The squad has netted seven goals across their initial two competitive fixtures, demonstrating resilience by conceding just once during that span.
Postecoglou has also capitalized on the diverse skill set at his disposal. Joao Felix, Angelo, and Sadio Mane offer dynamic attacking options, while recent signings have prevented overreliance on any single individual.
Cristiano Ronaldo of Al-Nassr celebrates with teammates Joao Felix and Kingsley Coman after scoring.
Should Ronaldo return to full fitness, he may find himself integrating into a cohesive unit rather than being solely responsible for leading the line. This presents an exciting tactical possibility for the remainder of the season.
Al Riyadh confirmed XI (4-3-3): Borjan; Al Essa, Majrashi, Al Khaibari, Hazazi; Keita, Al Jayzani, Mensah; Okou, Curto Antunes, Trezeguet.
Al-Nassr confirmed XI (4-2-3-1): Bento; Boushal, Al Amri, Martinez, Al Najdi; Al Khaibari, Angelo; Coman, Joao Felix, Mane; Al Hamdan.
