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.

Here is the FIFA 2026 World Cup Fan XI:

• Goalkeeper: Vozinha (Cape Verde)
• Defenders: Pedro Porro (Spain), Marc Cucurella (Spain), Lisandro Martinez (Argentina), Dayot Upamecano (France)
• Midfielders: Rodri (Spain), Michael Olise (France), Jude Bellingham (England)
• Forwards: Lionel Messi (Argentina), Erling Haaland (Norway), Kylian Mbappe (France)

Alongside Messi, who was snubbed of the Golden Ball prize won by Rodri, Argentina earned another nod with Lisandro Martinez, who stood out as one of the tournament’s premier defenders. It’s worth noting that this official lineup was selected entirely by global fan votes.

Ronaldo left off the squad

Despite netting three goals during the tournament, Ronaldo’s overall performance—and Portugal’s early knockout exit—wasn’t enough to earn him a spot among the elite. Stacked against the rest of the frontline, he simply couldn’t match the output: Haaland bagged seven goals, Messi notched eight, and Mbappe led the tournament with a staggering 10 goals.

Ronaldo was also left off the shortlist for the tournament’s Goal of the Tournament, which featured highlights from Messi, Bellingham, and Mbappe. It was a forgettable World Cup campaign for the Portuguese icon, with advanced age and the lesser competition level of his domestic league likely taking a toll on his sharpness.

Cape Verde’s Vozinha earns shock selection

The biggest surprise on the roster was Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha. The veteran stopper captivated fans worldwide with heroic displays against powerhouses Spain and Argentina, two of the finest performances by a goalkeeper in the entire tournament.

His on-field heroics were mirrored by an emotional off-field storyline involving his mother, who initially faced entry restrictions before finally arriving in time to watch him play. That touching moment, paired with his leadership during Cape Verde’s dramatic run that ended in an extra-time heartbreak against Argentina, clearly resonated with voters.

Messi earns third career World Cup XI selection

By securing his place in the tournament’s top lineup once again, Messi adds yet another accolade to his legendary resume. This marks the third time the Argentine maestro has earned Best XI honors at a World Cup, following his previous selections in Brazil (2014) and Qatar (2022).

Thousands of supporters gathered at Plaza de Cibeles in Madrid as Spain’s World Cup-winning squad celebrated with fans following their victory over Argentina in the final.

As part of the festivities, each player was introduced individually to the crowd, but one introduction quickly became the center of attention for soccer fans around the world.

What was said about Cristiano Ronaldo after 2026 World Cup?

When Yeremy Pino was introduced to the crowd, one of the hosts made the following remark: “They used to call him Cristiano Ronaldo, but he has a World Cup.”

The comment immediately sparked reactions both inside the celebration and across social media, where many supporters interpreted it as a direct jab at the Portuguese legend.

Cristiano Ronaldo has often faced criticism throughout his career for never winning a FIFA World Cup despite his extraordinary individual achievements. Ironically, it was Spain that eliminated Portugal in the Round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup, ending Ronaldo’s hopes of finally lifting soccer’s biggest trophy.

For that reason, many fans felt the remark was unnecessary and disrespectful, especially during a celebration that was supposed to focus on Spain’s own historic achievement rather than another country’s greatest player.

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.

According to FIFA’s official website, users have until July 27 to choose the best goal of this edition of the tournament. The list was narrowed down to 12 candidates, among whom is the Argentine No. 10.

On June 16 at Kansas City Stadium, Lionel Messi opened the scoring for Argentina with an exquisite long-range strike. Luca Zidane, Algeria’s goalkeeper, was unable to stop the shot, which gave Argentina a 1-0 lead.

Another Argentine goal also appears among the nominees. The match against Switzerland seemed to be completely closed; however, a shot into the top corner by Julian Alvarez in overtime paved the way for La Albiceleste to seal the victory and secure their place in the semifinals.

The nominees for the Best Goal of the World Cup

From stunning long-range strikes outside the box to individual efforts inside the penalty area, these are the 12 goals nominated by FIFA:

• Kerim Alajbegovic (Bosnia and Herzegovina), vs Qatar (1-0)
• Julian Alvarez (Argentina), vs Switzerland (2-1)
• Jude Bellingham (England), vs France (4-6)
• Sidny Lopes Cabral (Cabo Verde), vs Argentina (2-2)
• Erling Haaland (Norway), vs Brazil (2-0)
• Wilson Isidor (Haiti), vs Morocco (2-1)
• Elijah Just (New Zealand), vs IR Iran (1-0)
• Daizen Maeda (Japan), vs Sweden (1-0)
• Kylian Mbappe (France), vs Senegal (3-1)
• Lionel Messi (Argentina), vs Algeria (1-0)
• Eldor Shomurodov (Uzbekistan), vs DR Congo (1-0)
• Ferran Torres (Spain), vs Argentina (1-0)

Cristiano Ronaldo’s World Cup goals

Cristiano Ronaldo announced his retirement from the national team once this tournament concluded, meaning he will not be with Portugal at the 2030 World Cup. The extraordinary forward finished his participation with three goals, two in the group stage and one in the knockout stage.

His first two goals came in the match against Uzbekistan. The last one, from the penalty spot, came in the game against Croatia, and it helped his team reach the Round of 16.

The striker was already loaned out to Fenerbahce before landing in Zenit St. Petersburg, and now moves to Benfica on a one-season loan deal. The agreement was reached with Al Nassr, the club owning his sports rights, with whom he maintains an active contract through June 2030.

Al Nassr confirmed the move on social media. Although Duran’s name was closely linked to Galatasaray in Turkey during the opening weeks of the transfer window, the Colombian ultimately chose to accept Benfica’s offer. There, he will team up with Richard Rios, who is also a member of Colombia.

Duran’s first words as a new player

In his first words as a Benfica player, Jhon Jader Duran expressed gratitude for the support received from the fans. Furthermore, he assured that he will seek to respond to the fans’ affection with strong performances on the pitch.

The arrival of the forward generates high expectations in Portuguese soccer thanks to his physical traits, finishing ability, and overall potential. Benfica hope the Colombian can become an important piece for the new season.

Over the last six months, Duran made 16 appearances split between Fenerbahce and Zenit—a stat that reflects a recent lack of continuity. Now, he will look to log playing time and recover the form he displayed in previous stages.

Duran’s clubs

The attacker’s career has seen rapid acceleration, changing clubs several times over the last three years. Aston Villa, Al Nassr, Fenerbahce, and Zenit form part of a journey that now adds a new chapter with Benfica.

Jorge Jesus was appointed as Roberto Martinez’s replacement as the manager, and when asked about Ronaldo’s role with the national team, the new coach made it clear that CR7 will never be a problem for Portugal.

However, the Al-Nassr forward appears to have a clear vision for his future, opening the door for other players to succeed him in his position. Will this team change its tactics and formation? Will a new leader emerge? What will happen with the iconic No. 7 jersey?

Portugal’s potential lineup without Ronaldo

In their latest World Cup appearance, Portugal’s attack featured Cristiano Ronaldo, Pedro Neto, and Joao Felix, supported by other offensive players such as Bruno Fernandes and Joao Neves. Looking ahead to a hypothetical 2030 scenario, with many of these players potentially still part of the squad, this could be a potential lineup for this team without Ronaldo in the starting XI.

Diogo Costa; Diogo Dalot or Matheus Nunes, Ruben Dias or Goncalo Inacio, Renato Veiga, Nuno Mendes; Joao Neves, Vitinha, Pedro Neto; Bruno Fernandes, Joao Felix, Goncalo Ramos or Rafael Leao.

It is important to highlight that the squad Portugal took to the World Cup was a young one, with many players under the age of 30. Consequently, barring any unforeseen circumstances, it is highly likely that the vast majority of them could still be representing their country in 2030.

Portugal’s forwards called up for the 2026 World Cup

Roberto Martinez looked for a mix of experience and youth in Portugal’s attack. However, everything revolved around the figure of Cristiano Ronaldo, who did not have his best performance at the World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

• Cristiano Ronaldo (C)
• Goncalo Ramos
• Joao Felix
• Francisco Trincao
• Rafael Leao
• Pedro Neto
• Goncalo Guedes
• Francisco Conceicao

Perhaps due to age and experience, there are several names that could take over the role in four years. Joao Felix, Pedro Neto, and Rafael Leao are likely among the players under greater consideration, although the natural candidate to replace CR7 could be Goncalo Ramos as Portugal’s new center forward.

Ronaldo’s greatest achievement with Portugal

Cristiano Ronaldo reached the pinnacle of his international career when he led Portugal to a historic victory at Euro 2016, securing the country’s first-ever major trophy. Despite suffering an early injury in the final against France, his passionate leadership from the sidelines inspired his teammates to a dramatic 1-0 win in extra time. Recently, Ronaldo celebrated the anniversary of this achievement with fond memories of a moment that cemented his legendary status in world soccer.

What does the future hold for the number 7 jersey?

Although rumors circulated that the number 7 shirt would no longer be used by the Portugal national team, the truth is that there has been no official announcement regarding the matter. Therefore, everything points to it remaining in use, naturally by another player.

When and where will the 2030 World Cup be played?

The 2030 FIFA World Cup is scheduled to run from June to July 2030. The tournament’s primary co-hosts are Morocco, Portugal, and Spain, where the majority of matches will take place.

However, to mark the centenary of the inaugural 1930 World Cup, three special opening matches will be held in South America across Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay before the competition moves to Europe and North Africa.

Messi, with eight distinctions, is the player with the most Ballon d’Or awards in history, although he enters this year’s race from behind. He won the 2022 World Cup with Argentina, lifted two Copa America titles with his national team, and also won the Champions League with Barcelona.

Which trophy has eluded CR7? The World Cup. Ronaldo has won the Champions League with Real Madrid, lifted the European Championship with Portugal in 2016, and claimed five Ballon d’Or awards. However, the biggest prize at the international level remained out of reach, as he was unable to win it across his six World Cup appearances.

Other players in this elite group are Franz Beckenbauer and Gerd Müller from Germany, along with Zinedine Zidane of France. In addition, two Brazilian legends have achieved the same feat: Rivaldo and Ronaldinho.

Rodri’s trophy cabinet

Rodri has established himself as one of soccer’s ultimate winners, boasting an incredible track record at both club and international levels. On June 10, 2023, he scored the historic winning goal to secure the UEFA Champions League title for Manchester City.

Just over a year later, on July 14, 2024, he led Spain to European glory by winning the UEFA Euro and earning Player of the Tournament honors. His dominance was individually crowned on October 28, 2024, when he won the prestigious Ballon d’Or. Capping off this legendary run, he reached the absolute pinnacle of world soccer by becoming a FIFA World Cup champion with Spain, and also being awarded with the World Cup Golden Ball.

Ronaldo can no longer join them

This was Cristiano Ronaldo’s sixth World Cup, and his dream of winning the title came to an end after Portugal’s elimination at the hands of Spain. The forward made it clear that this was his final appearance at the tournament representing his country, meaning he will not be able to join the exclusive group of players who have won all four of these major honors.

A Spanish channel called “Espejo Publico,” Spanish for “Public Mirror,” had a controversial segment where one of the pundits said “Argentina is a team that should have been eliminated about five matches ago, if not for the help it received from FIFA. FIFA is one of the most corrupt organizations on Earth. That’s why I’m not afraid of Argentina at all, I’m very afraid of Infantino.”

The clip was before the final between Messi‘s Argentina and Spain. Cristiano Ronaldo liked the video, pretty much endorsing the message of the clip. That is a huge statement from one of soccer’s biggest stars.

FIFA and Argentina’s ‘relationship’ has been heavily scrutinized

The fact is there have been many calls where people could say Argentina was “favored” by FIFA. Conversely, though, one could argue there have been calls that are not as friendly to Argentina. In the end, this is just not a sustainable theory.

The fact is there will always be refereeing mistakes, it’s a part of the game. Saying there is blatant help for Argentina —or any team for that matter— is just a bad, unnecessary debate to have.

Cristiano Ronaldo is looking bad in this case

Ronaldo is one of soccer’s biggest stars. However, he and Portugal disappointed in the 2026 World Cup, and not because of referees. They were plain bad. To like a post where they are accusing, without proof, that FIFA is helping your biggest sports nemesis and his team comes across as sour.

Ronaldo is 41 years old, if he was a spring chicken, that would be one thing, but doing that at this stage in his career is just a bad look. After all, Messi surpassed in Ronaldo in pretty much every statistic.

Both the USMNT and Portugal suffered heartbreaking defeats in the Round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup. In fact, had they both won those games, they would’ve faced off in the quarterfinals. They didn’t, and that’s why Belgium and Spain competed for a spot in the semifinals.

Although the Stars and Stripes and the Lusos fell in the same round of the knockout stage, the Americans hold the edge thanks to FIFA’s criteria to determine positioning between teams that exited the tournament in the same stage.

Thus, the USA ranks ahead of Portugal in the 2026 World Cup final standings. The USMNT finished as the 12th-best team in the world, while Ronaldo and Portugal came in an unlucky 13th.

FIFA’s criteria

“For the teams which exited the competition at the same stage, their position is decided by the following criteria: Total number of points from matches across all stages (matches which go to a penalty shootout count as draws), goal difference from matches across all stages, number of goals scored from matches across all stages. If two or more teams are still tied after applying the above criteria they share the same final rank,” FIFA’s official statement on the final standings read.

2026 World Cup final standings: Top 20

Only the first four places in the standings are decided by a direct matchup, thanks to the final and third-place game at the 2026 World Cup. The rest of the teams’ positions are determined by the round in which they were eliminated and how they fared across all games in the group and knockout stage.

The top four of the 2026 World Cup are virtually self-explanatory. Spain finished first, Argentina second, England third, and France fourth. In fifth place, the rowing Vikings emerged from the fog, as Erling Haaland’s Norway reached the quarterfinals and finished with 12 points across all their games.

Belgium (11 points) finished in sixth place, while Morocco and Switzerland tied for seventh after finishing level on all tiebreakers. Mexico and Colombia rounded out the top 10 in ninth and 10th, respectively.

Brazil finished 11th, the USA 12th, and Portugal 13th. Canada finished last among the co-hosts in 14th. From 15th to 20th, the countries are ranked as follows: Egypt, Paraguay, the Netherlands, Germany, Ivory Coast, and Croatia.

The worst team in 2026 World Cup

Iraq was the worst team at the 2026 World Cup. One could say the Lions of Mesopotamia were the worst by a landslide, but Tunisia did put up a fight in that debate.

Iraq lost all three group-stage games, scored only one goal, and conceded 12, finishing with a whopping -11 goal difference. The Eagles of Carthage, on the other hand, finished just ahead of them in 47th place thanks to their -10 goal difference. Tunisia also scored one more goal than Iraq.

Uzbekistan rounded out the bottom three, as they failed to earn a single point as well, but finished with a -9 goal difference.