“Hand over the trophy, that’s what they want. They want to knock us out of the championship by any means necessary,” Galeno wrote on his X (formerly Twitter) account. “They want to hand the trophy to one person. A total lack of respect for our club”.

While Galeno did not name anyone, his reference to handing the trophy to “one person” is widely viewed as a jab at Ronaldo. Al Nassr currently sit atop the table, and Ronaldo is still searching for his first official piece of silverware since joining the club.

Inside the Al Ahli officiating controversy

The frustration stems from Al Ahli’s 1-1 draw with Al Fayha, a match defined by three separate penalty claims that went uncalled. Striker Ivan Toney also slammed the officiating, suggesting the decisions were “clearly influenced” by outside factors.

The tension reached a breaking point in the 98th minute when a VAR review failed to overturn a non-call on what appeared to be a blatant handball by an Al Fayha defender. Despite the review, the referee stood by his original decision, denying Al Ahli a potential game-winning opportunity.

Following the match, Al Ahli issued a formal statement on X demanding a full review of match footage and communications between the officiating crew and the VAR room, while seeking a formal explanation for the controversial decisions.

Ronaldo closing in on first Saudi title

The stalemate leaves Al Ahli four points adrift of the top, while Al Nassr sit in first place with 70 points and a game in hand. Should Al Nassr defeat Al Akhdoud on Saturday, April 11, Ronaldo’s side would open up a five-point lead over second-place Al Hilal with just 18 points left to play for.

With six matches remaining (seven for Al Nassr pending Saturday’s result), Ronaldo is on the verge of ending his trophy drought in Saudi Arabia and securing his first official championship since his arrival in early 2023.

With Toney’s latest goal, the English striker now has 27 goals this season, stretching his lead to four over the 23 goals Ronaldo has netted for Al Nassr. With six matches remaining in the season, Cristiano must also overtake Al Qadisah’s Julian Quiñones, who currently sits on 26 goals.

Toney’s recent strike also saw him reach a historic milestone, as the Englishman equaled Omar Al-Somah’s record for the most goals scored by a player in a single season for Al Ahli.

Heavy controversy in Al Ahli draw

Al Ahli’s draw against Al Fayha was riddled with controversy, to the point that Ivan Toney slammed the referee for failing to award his team a penalty on three separate occasions.

The former Brentford striker posted a message on his Instagram account harshly criticizing the official, attaching videos of the three plays where his team claimed a penalty that went uncalled.

“Two of these actions went to VAR and one didn’t. It’s actually crazy how you can miss things like this in crucial moments or choose to turn a blind eye…” Toney wrote. “…Next time if needed I can bring someone from my area that doesn’t have a clue about football to do a MUCH better job than some of these clowns!“

Toney targets fourth official

The controversy extended beyond the alleged uncalled penalties. Following the match, in an on-field interview with Saudi network Thmanyah, Toney claimed that during a VAR review, the fourth official told his team they should focus on a different competition rather than the Saudi Pro League.

“I don’t know if the referee turned off his microphone before he said what he told me: ‘Focus on the Asian Champions League.‘ This is why we need the audio recordings to be released, so the fans can see the truth,” Toney said in his on-field interview.

Following the uproar, Al Ahli published a statement on their official X account demanding that authorities review all match recordings and communications between the referees and VAR. Furthermore, the club requested formal explanations regarding the officiating decisions made during the match.

After the game, Toney posted a message on his Instagram account strongly criticizing the official for failing to award Al Ahli a penalty on three different occasions. Additionally, the English forward attached videos of the three plays where his team claimed a penalty that went uncalled.

“Two of these actions went to VAR and one didn’t. It’s actually crazy how you can miss things like this in crucial moments or choose to turn a blind eye. And without saying too much that may get me in trouble, it’s clear what’s being influenced here!!!“ Toney wrote on his Instagram. “Next time if needed I can bring someone from my area that doesn’t have a clue about football to do a MUCH better job than some of these clowns!!!!!“

Al Ahli release official statement

Following the draw filled with controversial decisions, Al Ahli did not hesitate to release an official statement via their account on X (formerly Twitter). In the post, the Saudi club demanded that authorities conduct a review of all match footage and communications between the referees and VAR, while seeking explanations for the officiating decisions made during the game.

“Al Ahli Club expresses its deep concern over the refereeing errors that occurred during today’s first-team match against Al Fayha in Round 29 of the Roshn Saudi League. Several referee decisions directly impacted the match flow and final result, affecting the team’s standing in the title race…”

“…Al Ahli Club calls for a review of all match footage and communications between the referees and the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) team, as well as any interactions with the players during the game. The club also requests clarifications on all contentious refereeing decisions…”

Toney pulls away from Ronaldo in Golden Boot race

Despite failing to secure the three vital points to stay closer in the Saudi Pro League title hunt, Toney scored in his team’s draw to extend his lead over Cristiano Ronaldo in the Golden Boot race.

The English striker reached 27 goals and now holds a four-goal lead over Ronaldo with seven matches remaining in the season. Additionally, Toney equaled Omar Al-Somah’s record for the most goals scored by a player in a single season for Al Ahli.

While Ronaldo has hit the century mark in league play for Al Nassr, Messi has recorded a total of 57 MLS regular-season appearances for Inter Miami, according to Transfermarkt data as of April 3, 2026.

However, the gap narrows significantly when considering all official competitions, as the Portuguese striker’s total reaches 132 matches while the Argentine’s tally increases to 97 games with the Florida-based club.

Ronaldo and Messi thriving in their new chapters

Both players are enjoying a dominant present at their respective clubs, where they remain the definitive stars. Despite being in the final stages of their illustrious careers, they continue to be decisive for Al Nassr and Inter Miami.

In 132 matches for the Saudi club, Cristiano Ronaldo has registered an impressive record of 117 goals and 23 assists. The only missing piece for the Portuguese legend is securing an official title with his club, though Al Nassr’s current form suggests he could finally end that drought this season.

With Al Nassr’s latest triumph, they sit at the top of the Saudi Pro League with 70 points, maintaining a six-point cushion over rivals Al Hilal (who have a game in hand). As the title race enters its final stretch, this victory brings Ronaldo one step closer to ending his trophy drought in Saudi Arabia.

On the other side of the world, Messi has made a massive impact throughout his 97 games in the United States. The Argentine boasts a remarkable record of 82 goals and 44 assists.

Furthermore, Leo has already led the Herons to three major trophies—the 2023 Leagues Cup, the 2024 Supporters’ Shield, and the 2025 MLS Cup—cementing a legacy that will endure forever in Fort Lauderdale.

After overcoming a hamstring injury and completing a specialized rehabilitation process in Madrid, Ronaldo will feature in the starting lineup and wear the captain’s armband today at Al Awwal Park.

On Thursday, manager Jorge Jesus provided a positive injury update on the forward, stating that Ronaldo was ready to rejoin group training—a clear sign that he has made a full recovery and is fit for competition.

How many games did Crisitano miss?

Although Cristiano Ronaldo has been out of action since sustaining an injury on February 28, he ultimately missed only two matches with Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League. During his absence, Jorge Jesus’ side secured crucial victories against Neom and Al Khaleej, allowing the club to maintain its position as the sole leader of the championship.

The limited number of missed club games was due to the March FIFA window falling in the middle of his recovery period. However, the injury did prevent him from representing Portugal, where he was absent for the scoreless draw against Mexico and the 2-0 victory over the United States.

Al Nassr confirmed lineup

In addition to the return of Ronaldo, Al Nassr received a significant boost with Sadio Mane being declared fit for today’s encounter. The Senegalese star has overcome an ankle injury that forced him to miss the club’s most recent victory, ensuring manager Jorge Jesus has his full attacking arsenal available to face Al Najma.

Confirmed lineup to face Al Najma: Bento; Sultan, Simakan, Al Amri, Saad; Brozovic, Angelo, Ghareeb; Mane, Alhamdan, Cristiano Ronaldo.

[Watch Al Nassr vs NEOM online in the US on Fubo]

Al Najma enter this Saudi Pro League matchup in desperation mode, sitting at the bottom of the table and urgently needing points to keep their survival hopes alive. That challenge doesn’t get any tougher than this, as Cristiano Ronaldo’s team arrives in dominant form.

Al Nassr come into this match on the back of a 5-0 victory over Al Khaleej that helped extend its lead atop the standings to three points over Al Hilal. With the title race heating up and no margin for error for the leaders, this clash carries major implications at both ends of the table.

When will the Al Nassr vs Al Najma match be played?

Al Nassr square off with Al Najma for the Matchday 27 of the 2025/2026 Saudi Pro League this Friday, April 3. The action is set to kick off at 2:00 PM (ET).

Al Nassr vs Al Najma: Time by State in the USA

ET: 2:00 PM
CT: 1:00 PM
MT: 12:00 PM
PT: 11:00 AM

How to watch Al Nassr vs Al Najma in the USA

Catch this 2025/2026 Saudi Pro League clash between Al Nassr and Al Najma live in the USA, streaming on Fubo. Other options: Fox Soccer Plus, FOX Deportes and FOX One.

“After further testing, we have seen that the injury suffered by Cristiano Ronaldo is more serious than expected,” Al Nassr head coach Jorge Jesus stated during a press conference. He added that the recovery process requires specialized treatment in Spain alongside Ronaldo’s personal therapist.

This marks the second consecutive game Ronaldo will miss since sustaining the injury during a 3-1 victory over Al Fayha, where he was substituted with ten minutes remaining. In their previous outing, Al Nassr managed to secure a 1-0 win against Neom without their captain on the pitch.

While neither the coach nor the club provided a definitive recovery timeline, the Saudi outlet Al-Sharq Al-Awsat reported that the forward is expected to return to Saudi Arabia at the end of March after completing the final phase of his recovery in Madrid. This schedule suggests Ronaldo could potentially return for Al Nassr’s match against Al Najma on April 3.

Ronaldo could miss March window with Portugal

Cristiano Ronaldo is a major doubt for Portugal’s final international camp before the 2026 World Cup. With the tournament less than three months away, manager Roberto Martinez and the Portuguese medical staff are reportedly prioritizing a full recovery over the upcoming friendly fixtures in North America.

Portugal is scheduled to face Mexico on March 28 at the newly renovated Estadio Azteca—a match designated as the stadium’s grand reopening—followed by a clash against the United States in Atlanta on March 31.

While early estimates suggested a 2-to-4-week recovery timeline, the risk of re-aggravation has cast a shadow over his participation in these crucial warm-up games.

[Watch Al Khaleej vs Al Nassr online in the US on Fubo]

The title race in the Saudi Pro League is tightening as the season nears its final stretch, with four teams separated by only a few points at the top. Al Nassr FC lead the standings with 64 points and, powered by Cristiano Ronaldo, know they can’t afford any slip-ups as rivals continue to apply pressure.

Meanwhile, Al Khaleej FC have been inconsistent and sit far from the title race, but pulling off a win against the league leaders would be a massive boost—making this a matchup fans won’t want to miss.

When will the Al Khaleej vs Al Nassr match be played?

Al Khaleej will play against Al Nassr for the Matchday 26 of the 2025/2026 Saudi Pro League this Saturday, March 14. The action is set to kick off at 3:00 PM (ET).

Al Khaleej vs Al Nassr: Time by State in the USA

ET: 3:00 PM
CT: 2:00 PM
MT: 1:00 PM
PT: 12:00 PM

How to watch Al Khaleej vs Al Nassr in the USA

Catch this 2025/2026 Saudi Pro League clash between Al Khaleej and Al Nassr live in the USA, streaming on Fubo. Other options: FOX Soccer Plus and FOX One.

[Watch Al Nassr vs NEOM online in the US on Fubo]

The Saudi Pro League title race tightens as Al Nassr prepares for a crucial showdown with NEOM. With Al Hilal and Al Ahli already securing wins, the pressure shifts to the second-place side, which sits on 61 points and can move alone into first place with a victory.

Led by Cristiano Ronaldo, Al Nassr know what’s at stake, while mid-table NEOM aims to deliver a statement result and climb the standings—making this a matchup you won’t want to miss.

When will the Al Nassr vs NEOM match be played?

Al Nassr take on NEOM for the Matchday 25 of the 2025/2026 Saudi Pro League this Saturday, March 7. The action is set to kick off at 2:00 PM (ET).

Al Nassr vs NEOM: Time by State in the USA

ET: 2:00 PM
CT: 1:00 PM
MT: 12:00 PM
PT: 11:00 AM

How to watch Al Nassr vs NEOM in the USA

Catch this 2025/2026 Saudi Pro League clash between Al Nassr and NEOM live in the USA, streaming on Fubo. Other options: DirecTV Stream, FOX Soccer Plus and FOX Deportes.

With the opportunity to overtake Al Ahli in the standings with a win, Ronaldo has been confirmed in the starting lineup. Manager Jorge Jesus presents his strongest XI to capitalize on this pivotal moment in the title race.

Al Nassr enter this match with immense momentum, riding an 11-game winning streak during which they have conceded only three goals. Furthermore, they currently share the league lead in scoring with Al Hilal, having netted 62 goals so far this campaign.

In contrast, Al Fayha have struggled for form recently. The hosts sit 12th in the table with 27 points, having managed only two wins in their last five outings. This fixture represents a prime opportunity for Al Nassr to reclaim the league lead and for Ronaldo to continue his pursuit of the historic 1,000-goal milestone; the Portuguese superstar currently sits at 965 career professional goals.

Could the match be suspended?

Concerns have emerged regarding the status of today’s fixture following reports of multiple attacks across the Middle East this Saturday. Significant activity was reported in Tehran, Iran, but of more immediate concern to the league is that Riyadh—the home base of Al Nassr—has also reportedly experienced explosions.

With the security situation now stabilized, the match between Al Fayha and Al Nassr will go ahead as scheduled. League officials and local authorities have confirmed that conditions are safe for the game to be played, ensuring the protection of players, staff, and fans despite the recent concerns in the region.

While the match at Al Majma’ah Sports City is located outside the capital, the logistical and security challenges of traveling from Riyadh have placed the scheduled kickoff under intense scrutiny. However, the Saudi Pro League has confirmed that the game will go ahead as planned.

[Watch Al-Fayha vs Al Nassr online in the US on Fubo]

The race atop the Saudi Pro League is tightening, and Al Nassr suddenly have no margin for error. After earning three key points in their rescheduled Matchday 10 matchup to stay first, they watched Al Hilal and Al Ahly close the gap with wins of their own, turning up the pressure on Cristiano Ronaldo’s squad.

Now, Al Nassr will have to face a tricky test against Al-Fayha (currently in the middle of the standings and looking to climb the table) awaits, and with the title picture shifting fast, this is one showdown you won’t want to miss.

When will the Al-Fayha vs Al Nassr match be played?

Al-Fayha play against Al Nassr for the Matchday 24 of the 2025/2026 Saudi Pro League this Saturday, February 28. The action is set to kick off at 2:00 PM (ET).

Al-Fayha vs Al Nassr: Time by State in the USA

ET: 2:00 PM
CT: 1:00 PM
MT: 12:00 PM
PT: 11:00 AM

How to watch Al-Fayha vs Al Nassr in the USA

Catch this 2025/2026 Saudi Pro League clash between Al-Fayha and Al Nassr live in the USA, streaming on Fubo. Other options: FOX Soccer Plus.