The Portuguese superstar will be determined to add to his incredible list of honours when Luis Castro's team return from their mid-season break
Cristiano Ronaldo has single-handedly put Saudi Arabian football on the map. His surprise decision to join Al-Nassr in January 2023 after a sad end to his second spell at Manchester United was ground-breaking, as it sparked an influx of top talent to the Middle East – with Karim Benzema, Neymar and Riyad Mahrez among those to tread the same path from European giants to Pro League challengers.
Saudi's top division has been labelled a 'retirement league' in some quarters, and for certain players who have passed the age of 30 that is exactly what it is, because the financial packages on offer for players of their age are unmatched anywhere else in the world. But Ronaldo insisted that tangible success was his main motivation after signing the most lucrative contract in the sport's history at Al-Nassr.
"I'm a unique player. I beat all the records there [In Europe]. I want to beat a few records here," the Portugal international said at his unveiling. "It's not the end of my career to come to Saudi Arabia."
Ronaldo wasn't able to inspire Al-Nassr to silverware in the second half of the 2023-24 season, but they opened the current campaign by winning their first-ever Arab Club Champions Cup title, and their poster boy took home the Golden Boot as the tournament's top scorer. Luis Castro's side have gone from strength to strength since then, and Ronaldo has continued to deliver the goods in the final third, defying his age in the process.
The opportunity to lift another trophy could well arise if Al-Nassr can keep it up – albeit perhaps not the one they would have targeted as a priority at the start of the season.
GettyAl-Hilal blocking path to Pro League glory
Including his six goals at the Arab Club Champions Cup, Ronaldo has scored 30 goals in 31 appearances across all competitions for Al-Nassr so far in 2023-24. The five-time Ballon d'Or winner also managed to finish last calendar year as the highest scoring men's player in the game, with 54 to his name for club and country, which he couldn't resist bringing up at the Dubai Globe Soccer Awards.
"I was the best goalscorer this season, imagine beating young animals like [Erling] Haaland… I’m proud," he said. "I like when people doubt me and then I’m successful. I don’t get affected by the criticism."
Despite the Portugal captain's exploits in front of goal, though, Al-Nassr went into the winter break seven points behind arch-rivals Al-Hilal in the Saudi Pro League. Ronaldo's worst performance of the campaign to date came when the two teams met at the Blue Jewel on December 1. Al-Hilal ran out comfortable 3-1 winners, and barring an unprecedented collapse, they should go on and secure the title.
Al-Nassr are still a work in progress, and will continue to improve quickly, not least because they've provided a strong supporting cast for Ronaldo by signing the likes of Sadio Mane, Alex Telles and Otavio. But Ronaldo doesn't necessarily see the current gulf in class between Al-Nassr and Al-Hilal as a bad thing.
"The Saudi league is not worse than Ligue 1," he added at the Globe Awards ceremony. "The Saudi Pro League is more competitive than Ligue 1, I can say that after one year spent there. We are better than the French league already now."
Ronaldo's provocative remarks had the desired effect, with ex-France international Laure Boulleau among those to subsequently call out the Portuguese and his "big ego". Although it was a ridiculous comparison to make, Ronaldo is right that the Pro League is a serious competition, and one that will hold weight on his glittering CV if he eventually wins it at Al-Nassr.
AdvertisementGettyWinter of discontent
Ronaldo is well known for his impressive physical conditioning, but he may need a bit of time to get back up to speed after a frustrating winter break. Al-Nassr took the decision to cancel their tour of China after seeing their star forward pick up a muscle injury, and he came out to apologise to the fans that had been eagerly anticipating friendly match-ups against Shanghai Shenhua and Zheijang.
“As you know, in football some things you cannot control," Ronaldo said in a statement. "I have played 22 years in football and I am a player that doesn’t have too many injuries. I feel sad. Unfortunately, I have some problems, but this is part of football and my life."
The issue also kept Ronaldo out of Al-Nassr's Riyadh Season Cup clash against Inter Miami, which had initially been billed as the 'Last Dance' between him and eternal foe Lionel Messi. Ronaldo was able to return in time for a subsequent clash with Al-Hilal in the same competition, but he looked rusty as Al-Nassr were once again outclassed by the Pro League leaders in a 2-0 defeat.
To make matters worse, Ronaldo stoked up controversy by appearing to rub his crotch on an Al-Hilal scarf that was thrown in his direction, having clearly been wound up by widespread Messi chants from the home crowd. Al-Hilal fans subsequently called for Ronaldo to be punished for a blatant show of disrespect, and although he will likely escape any sanctions, the incident compounded a miserable few weeks for the five-time Ballon d'Or winner.
GettyImageChampions League master
Al-Nassr and Ronaldo will surely be hoping for the chance to exact revenge on Al-Hilal in the latter stages of the AFC Champions League, which is due to restart this week. Both clubs have made it through to the last-16, and Al-Nassr have been handed a favourable draw against Al Feiha – who are languishing down in 14th in the Saudi Pro League.
Historically, there is no one better than Ronaldo in continental competition, as he boasts five UEFA Champions League winners' medals and the all-time scoring record with 140 goals to his name. True to his word, the 39-year-old is now chasing more records in the Asian equivalent, as he produced a series of stellar displays in the group stage for Al-Nassr.
Ronaldo scored three goals and set up another two as Castro's team finished top of Group E, six points ahead of Iranian champions Persepolis. Al-Nassr will expect more of the same across their two-legged tie with Al Feiha, and if they get the job the done, they will be rewarded with another favourable draw in the quarter-finals against either Uzbekistan-based club Nasaf or United Arab Emirates giants Al Ain.
Al-Hilal could await in the last four, and although they've got the better of Al-Nassr in their last two meetings, Castro's men will take heart from the fact they came out on top in the Arab Club Champions Cup final – with Ronaldo bagging a brace on that day.
Getty ImagesShock Otavio decision
Ronaldo may not be in the most amenable mood when Al-Nassr return to competitive action on Wednesday, though. According to Saudi newspaper , Castro has risked a potential divide in the dressing room by leaving Ronaldo's Portugal team-mate Otavio out of his squad for the first leg.
Current Asian federation laws only permit each to team to include six foreign players, with Ronaldo, Aymeric Laporte, Marcelo Brozovic, Sadio Mane and Anderson Talisca getting the nod – alongside January signing Aziz Behich.
Choosing the 33-year-old Australian, who is on loan from Melbourne City, ahead of Otavio is a risk that could backfire for Castro, even if it's a clear attempt to make sure Al-Nassr have enough cover in defence. Otavio has been one of the club's best players this season, and it will surely sting for him to sit out such an important game.
Castro has had his critics since being appointed at Al-Nassr last July, with his approach to bigger matches often called into question, and they will be out in force again if Al Feiha can spring a surprise while Otavio watches on from the stands.