Despite the halftime exit, Ronaldo took to social media to show his support via an Instagram story featuring a photo of the squad embracing. “WHAT. A. COMEBACK,” Ronaldo posted, using three simple words to celebrate the win.

The comeback was delayed until the final minute, when Sadio Mane scored the third goal to overcome the two-goal deficit following a key assist from Sami Al-Najei.

Postecoglou’s tough decision

With the squad down to 10 men and trailing 2-0, Postecoglou made a decision few managers would attempt. Al Nassr first needed numerical parity on defense.

That requirement had nothing to do with Ronaldo’s goalscoring ability and everything to do with his position on the pitch, as he is a player who takes no part in the pressing and recovery phases.

Even with that explanation, the point still stands: This marks the first time this season that a coach, in a moment of genuine crisis, decided the route back into a match ran not through Ronaldo, but entirely without him.

Postecoglou demonstrated authority by making it clear that his priority is helping the team win and doing what is best for the group. “When I made the substitutions, including taking Ronaldo off, I believed the players coming on could make an impact,” Postecoglou said. “I came here to help the players, so as I said, I’m proud of them because every substitute made a positive contribution.”

Postecoglou made it clear that he is there to help the team, explaining the replacement of several stars, including Ronaldo. “When I made the substitutions, including taking Ronaldo off, I believed the players coming on could make an impact,” Postecoglou said. “I came here to help the players, so as I said, I’m proud of them because every substitute made a positive contribution.”

Ronaldo was substituted at halftime after being seen visibly upset while heading to the locker room, demanding more intensity from his teammates. The star forward was taken off with Al Nassr still trailing 2-0 on the scoreboard.

Dismal start for Al Nassr

Losing goalkeeper Bento to a red card left Al Nassr staring at a heavy defeat. Bento raced off his line and brought down Moussa Dembele, prompting the referee to brandish a straight red card.

Down to 10 men, Al Nassr made an emergency change as young goalkeeper Abdulrahman Al-Otaibi replaced Angelo to guard the net in a difficult early test. Al Ettifaq made the extra man count, pressing until Doda collected the ball on the edge of the box in the 31st minute and lashed it into the top corner past the backup keeper.

Deep into first-half stoppage time (45+3′), Alvaro Medran doubled the lead. Latching onto a pass from Yasser Al-Shammari, Medran unleashed a powerful strike from outside the box to send the hosts into the break up 2-0.

Postecoglou’s decisive changes

Chasing a comeback after the break, Al Nassr made a change by bringing on Abdullah Al-Khaibari for Ronaldo. Postecoglou later subbed off Kingsley Coman and Samu to bring in Sami Al-Najei and Al-Hamdan.

Inigo Martinez came within inches of pulling one back in the 53rd minute, only to see his shot strike the post. Al Ettifaq’s goalkeeper then repelled an effort from Joao Felix.

Joao Felix turned provider in the 74th minute, threading a pass through to Sadio Mane. The Senegalese striker burst into the box and drilled a right-footed finish into the far corner, hauling Al Nassr back into the contest. The equalizer followed in the 77th minute when Joao Felix swung in a corner that Abdulelah Al-Amri met from close range, burying his header to make it 2-2.

Then came the winner. Sami Al-Najei drove a rapid counter-attack in the 90th minute and slipped the ball to Mane, who fired home from the middle of the box to complete a historic comeback and snatch all three points.

Before entering the locker room, an unhappy Ronaldo was seen demanding more from his teammates as the squad faced a two-goal deficit heading into the break.

Beyond a tactical decision based on match flow, speculation suggests the move could also stem from a load management plan to protect the forward following his return from the 2026 World Cup. Still, the decision remains unusual considering how frustrated Ronaldo appeared before leaving the pitch.

In his postgame press conference, coach Ange Postecoglu addressed the decision to sub off Ronaldo before Al Nassr’s 3-2 comeback win.

Early red card alters game plan

Ronaldo earned the start in a match that quickly turned against his team, heavily conditioned by an early numerical disadvantage that derailed the original strategy.

A red card to Bento in the 12th minute forced the visiting squad to play with 10 men for nearly the entire first half. Al Ettifaq capitalized on the advantage, building a 2-0 lead before the break.

Bento’s ejection disrupted collective structure and increased the physical workload for the remaining players on the field. Seeking to adjust, the coaching staff opted to add presence in the midfield to restore balance and improve pressing — a tactical shift that likely prompted the substitution of Ronaldo, who offers the least defensive sacrifice on the roster.

Additional factors surrounding Ronaldo

Ronaldo only recently rejoined Al Nassr following the 2026 World Cup and is still working to regain match fitness. At 41, maintaining a continuous press is challenging, especially when a team must compensate for a man disadvantage. Adding to the difficulty, nighttime temperatures exceeding 30 degrees Celsius in Saudi Arabia increased the physical toll of an already challenging fixture.

Al Nassr is beating Al Riyadh handedly and Cristiano Ronaldo was not about to go scoreless. The Portuguese ace received a pass inside the box, and he turned quickly to dance around his defender and then smash it home with his left foot.

Ronaldo, who revealed his retirement timeline is near, is still seeking the never-recorded 1,000-goal career. Now, he is just 23 goals away, something that he is bound to get at one point during the season. This was his first game after the 2026 World Cup and his wedding.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s average throws approximate timeline to reach 1,000 goals

Cristiano Ronaldo averages roughly 35 goals per season across all competitions since joining Al Nassr. Hence, he should be on pace to not only reach, but surpass the thousand-goal treshold this very season.

The Saudi Pro League helps Ronaldo as Al Nassr are the reigning champions thanks to their offensive prowess. Hence, they create a lot of scoring opportunities, which the Portuguese Ace could easily bag, as shown by his goal vs Al Riyadh.

Ronaldo’s scoring ability comes from versatility

Cristiano Ronaldo has all the tools to get goals. Not only is he physically imposing despite being 41 years old, but also he has some features or skills that help him massively. For instance, his knack and instinct for goal are incredible.

He can score with the left, the right, with a header, from outside of the box, with penalties… Ronaldo has so many ways of scoring that if he is within range, he is likely to find the back of the net.

There is also no certainty regarding his availability next Tuesday, August 18, against Al Diriyah in the Saudi King’s Cup. Therefore, CR7 could be expected to return at full fitness on Friday, August 21, against Al Riyadh.

A few days ago, during a press conference, manager Postecoglou revealed that his star player is always available: “Cristiano Ronaldo is always ready.” For this occasion, however, he clearly prefers to give him a little more time to build up his fitness.

After representing Portugal at the 2026 World Cup, Cristiano Ronaldo returned to his club with a new look and the same energy as always. The goal? To secure back-to-back titles alongside his teammates.

Cristiano Ronaldo eyes historic milestone

Cristiano Ronaldo enters the season with a singular focus: closing the gap on the historic 1,000-career-goal milestone. Sitting at 976 official goals, the Portuguese superstar continues to rely on his relentless work ethic and lethal instincts in front of net as the focal point of his team’s attack.

Defending the Saudi Pro League title

Al-Nassr enter the new Saudi Pro League season determined to defend their title following a championship run in the 2025–26 campaign. That triumph marked Cristiano Ronaldo’s first league title in Saudi Arabia, secured after an impressive domestic run where the team racked up 86 points in 34 matches. As the new tournament gets underway, the Riyadh club will look to maintain its dominance and replicate that success with the Portuguese star leading the charge.

Al Nassr’s attacking firepower

As Ange Postecoglou will look to reshape Al-Nassr‘s attack in Cristiano Ronaldo’s absence, he boasts a star-studded group of frontline options. João Félix and Sadio Mane will provide premier versatility and creative spark, whether operating through the center or off the wing, while Kingsley Coman offers world-class pace and elite 1v1 threat out wide.

Supported by dynamic talent like Angelo, Postecoglou has no shortage of high-profile firepower to keep the attacking unit fluid and lethal.

CR7 is still on his post-2026 FIFA World Cup break following his involvement with the Portugal national team, with the coaching staff expecting him to rejoin the squad in the coming days. As a result, Postecoglou is likely to field the following starting lineup:

Bento; Mohammed Simakan, Abdullah Al-Khaibari, Nawaf Al-Boushail, Salem Al-Najdi; Kingsley Coman, Ayman Yahya, Abdullah Al-Amri, Sadio Mane; Joao Felix; Haroune Camara.

The Estadio Jose Gomes will host the match, which will also mark the inaugural edition of the Trofeu Cidade da Amadora. Al-Nassr and Estrela Amadora previously met in a friendly back in 2025, with the Portuguese side claiming a 1-0 victory.

Al-Nassr’s preseason results so far

During their pre-season tour, Al-Nassr kicked off their preparation matches with a mixed set of results, falling 2–1 against Benfica B before bouncing back with a convincing 2–0 victory over AD Merida. The coaching staff focused on rotating the squad and evaluating team dynamics throughout both fixtures, though Cristiano Ronaldo didn’t play in either match to allow him extended rest ahead of the official season.

When does the Saudi Pro League start?

The new Saudi Pro League season is set to kick off on August 13, bringing plenty of anticipation for soccer fans across the region. Al-Nassr will officially make their league debut just two days later, facing off against Al-Fateh SC on August 15 as they look to start their campaign on a high note.

Al Nassr enter the match after opening their preseason with a 2-1 loss to Benfica B, a game in which several first-team stars were unavailable. Ronaldo, Sadio Mané, Joao Felix, and others didn’t feature as Postecoglou managed a limited squad in his unofficial debut.

Ronaldo, who helped Al Nassr capture the Saudi Pro League title last season, has yet to rejoin Al Nassr following his participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, meaning he won’t take part in the club’s second preseason fixture.

Why isn’t Cristiano Ronaldo playing today?

Ronaldo hasn’t yet returned to training with Al Nassr after the conclusion of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. As a result, he is expected to remain unavailable while continuing his scheduled post-tournament break.

Several other international players, including Sadio Mané and Joao Felix, are also still away from the team, leaving Postecoglou without some of his biggest attacking options during the early stages of preseason.

Who could lead Al Nassr against Merida?

With Ronaldo unavailable, Al Nassr is expected to rely on other members of the squad as Postecoglou continues evaluating his team before the new season. Abdullah Al-Hamdan is among the players who could lead the attack, while Kingsley Coman and Abdulrahman Ghareeb are expected to provide width.

Ronaldo, who lost star teammate Jhon Duran earlier this summer, is expected to rejoin Al Nassr in the coming weeks, with his competitive return scheduled for the start of the 2026-27 season in Saudi Arabia. His absence gives head coach Ange Postecoglou the opportunity to evaluate younger players and new tactical ideas during the club’s first preseason outing.

Although Ronaldo won’t feature today, anticipation remains high for his return after another memorable campaign. The 41-year-old helped Al Nassr capture the Saudi Pro League title and continued adding to his remarkable scoring record, bringing his career total to 976 official goals, leaving him just 24 goals away from the historic 1,000-goal milestone.

When will Cristiano Ronaldo return for Al Nassr?

Ronaldo is expected to make his first appearance of the new season once Al Nassr begin official competition in mid-August. The club enters the campaign with momentum after winning the 2025-26 Saudi Pro League title, ending a league drought that dated back to 2019 and giving Ronaldo his first domestic league championship since arriving in Saudi Arabia.

At the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the Portugal captain scored three goals, including a brace against Uzbekistan and a penalty in the Round of 32 against Croatia.

Ronaldo became the oldest player ever to score a World Cup brace and the oldest to find the net in a knockout‑stage match, further extending his remarkable legacy.

“Nassrawis… what a season. From day one, we knew what we wanted and what it would take to get there. We worked, fought and gave everything in every training and every game. It wasn’t an easy road, but we did it together. Thank you for believing in us and standing by our side every step of the way,” CR7 stated via X.

After scoring a brace in the 4-1 victory, Cristiano Ronaldo lifted another trophy in his career ahead of the World Cup. The legendary forward’s trophy cabinet continues to grow, and there is still time for even more achievements.

Cristiano Ronaldo chasing the 1,000-goal mark

Cristiano Ronaldo showed no signs of slowing down in the Saudi Pro League, clinical as ever as he netted twice against Damac FC to take his tally to an incredible 28 goals this season. The historic night also pushed him closer to the mythical milestone of four digits, leaving Ronaldo in tears after hitting a brace to reach his No. 973 career goals.

With the elusive 1,000-goal mark looming larger than ever, the Portuguese icon’s emotional reaction proved that despite everything he has won, every single milestone on this relentless march to history still means the absolute world to him.

What’s next for CR7?

Cristiano Ronaldo is set to captain Portugal in the upcoming 2026 World Cup before returning to Al Nassr to fulfill his current contract, which runs through June 2027.

Having signed a lucrative two-year extension last summer that anchors him as the world’s highest-paid athlete, the 41-year-old icon remains fully committed to the Saudi project, with no signs of slowing down after securing his first Saudi Pro League title.

Ronaldo finished the 2025-26 Saudi Pro League season with 28 goals, including a vital brace in the championship-clinching match that sent the home crowd into a frenzy. He narrowly trailed Ivan Toney, who finished his impressive campaign with 32 goals.

This season marks the official end of Ronaldo’s dominance over the Golden Boot for two straight seasons in 2023-24 and 2024-25. Despite his consistency, his streak of back-to-back scoring titles finally came to an end this year, but he likely won’t mind given the massive Saudi Pro League prize money.

How many goals has Ronaldo scored with Al Nassr?

Since making his high-profile move to Riyadh in 2023, Cristiano Ronaldo has reached a remarkable milestone by scoring exactly 102 goals across all competitions for Al Nassr. His prolific nature has seen him become the first player in football history to reach triple digits for four different clubs, proving that his scoring instincts remain sharp well into his forties.

While his current scoring rate is elite, it remains a shadow of his peak years at Real Madrid, where he famously netted a career-best 48 goals in the 2014-15 La Liga season. His output in Saudi Arabia is more comparable to his 2007-08 Manchester United campaign, where he scored 31 league goals.

So far, Ronaldo’s most productive period in a yellow jersey occurred during the 2023-24 season, when he set a then-league record by scoring 35 goals. Now that he won his first official title with Al Nassr, many wonder how many Lionel Messi has lifted with Inter Miami in comparison, but CR7’s primary focus remains the trophy he finally raised today.

FIFA World Cup 2006:

• 2005–06 League Cup champion (Manchester United)

FIFA World Cup 2010:

• No titles won in the 2009–10 season (Real Madrid)

FIFA World Cup 2014:

• 2013–14 Copa del Rey champion (Real Madrid)
• 2013–14 UEFA Champions League winner (Real Madrid)

FIFA World Cup 2018:

• 2017 Spanish Super Cup champion (Real Madrid)
• 2017–18 UEFA Champions League winner (Real Madrid)
• 2017 UEFA Super Cup champion (Real Madrid)
• 2017 FIFA Club World Cup champion (Real Madrid)

FIFA World Cup 2022:

• No titles won in the 2021–22 season (Juventus and Manchester United)

Cristiano Ronaldo can still win other trophies with Al Nassr after securing this SPL title. He will definitely try to be crowned with his club again, but now his main focus has shifted to the World Cup.

Cristiano Ronaldo is historic for the FIFA World Cup

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is set to be the final edition featuring Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portuguese star has won two major trophies with his country, yet the sport’s biggest international prize has eluded him so far.

Across 22 total appearances in the five different editions he has played so far, Cristiano Ronaldo has racked up eight goals and two assists. He holds the unique distinction of being the first male player to score in five consecutive World Cup tournaments.

Russia 2018 stands out as his most explosive individual World Cup performance to date. In that tournament, he scored four goals, highlighted by an unforgettable hat-trick against Spain to secure a dramatic 3-3 draw.

In the upcoming edition, Cristiano Ronaldo will try to secure the title in what is set to be his last opportunity. Fresh off his SPL triumph, he will arrive at the tournament with massive confidence as he aims for the most prestigious trophy a football player can lift.