Why did Cristiano Ronaldo miss Al-Nassr vs Al Fateh Saudi Pro League 2026-27 match?
Cristiano Ronaldo was the top goalscorer for the Big Yellow last season.
The Saudi Pro League 2026-27 season is underway, and defending champions Al-Nassr are battling it out against Al Fateh in their opening game on Saturday night. The clash is taking place at Al-Awwal Park in Riyadh.
Under Jorge Jesus, the Big Yellow won the Saudi top division title last season, and they will now be looking to defend it. Ange Postecoglou is now the new head coach of Al-Nassr, and it will be interesting to see how things will go for the Saudi Pro League champions.
Postecoglou’s men haven’t performed well during their recent pre-season run. They faced the likes of Benfica B, Mérida, Estrela, and UD Almeria, but managed to secure just one win in their four pre-season matches. A win in their opening Saudi Pro League fixture would be a big confidence booster.. Al Fateh lost both of their league matches against the Big Yellow last season.
Why did Cristiano Ronaldo miss out?
Ahead of Al-Nassr’s Saudi Pro League 2026-27 opener, Cristiano Ronaldo joined the first-team training and was expected to be included in the squad. However, the 41-year-old Portuguese talisman was not named in the final squad for the Al-Nassr vs Al Fateh game.
The reason he missed tonight’s game may be due to his absence from the team’s pre-season matches. Ronaldo was on a break after a long domestic season and was also part of the Portugal national football team at the FIFA World Cup 2026.
More importantly, the veteran forward got married on August 11 to his long-term girlfriend, Georgia Rodriguez. As a result, even though he is back in training, it will take some time for him to regain match fitness.
Postecoglou opted to start Abdullah Al-Hamdan as the team’s first-choice striker in Ronaldo’s absence. Meanwhile, Ronaldo can be expected to be part of the Saudi King’s Cup fixture against Diriyah Club.
How many goals did Cristiano Ronaldo score for Al-Nassr in Saudi Pro League 2025-26?
Ronaldo scored 28 goals and provided 2 assists in 30 matches for Al‑Nassr last season.
Has Cristiano Ronaldo ever won Saudi Pro League?
Yes. He won the Saudi Pro League title with Al‑Nassr in the 2025‑26 season, ending a seven‑year wait for the club.
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Dilpreet is a dedicated football writer with a keen eye for World Football. As a proud Real Madrid fan, we believe his work reflects the same ambition and precision. Since joining Khel Now in 2025, he has crafted stories beyond scores, diving into tactics, culture, and emotion. With a strong background in content writing, he blends clarity with creativity, always aiming to bring the beautiful game closer to readers.