The most significant match in Cristiano Ronaldo’s tenure with Al Nassr has arrived. Just one victory separates the Saudi club from a place in the AFC Champions League final, where Al Ain—surprise eliminators of the heavily favored Al Hilal—already await. The grand final is scheduled for Saturday, May 3, and the spotlight is firmly on Ronaldo’s leadership in this pivotal semifinal.
On Wednesday, April 30, Al Nassr will face Kawasaki Frontale for the second and final ticket to the championship match. Ronaldo, who was instrumental in the quarterfinals with his 934th career goal and commanding play, now seeks to reach a club-level semifinal for the first time since his days at Real Madrid.
In that previous round, a combination of Ronaldo, Sadio Mané, and a brace from Jhon Durán powered Al Nassr past Yokohama Marinos, securing a well-earned place in the semifinals. Under manager Stefano Pioli, the squad is now fully focused on making history. Reaching the final would bring the Portuguese star closer to lifting his first official title since arriving in Saudi Arabia. Standing in their way is Kawasaki Frontale, who eliminated Al Sadd to reach this stage.
Is Cristiano Ronaldo playing Today?
Cristiano Ronaldo is expected to start in today’s crucial match. The Portuguese star remains Al Nassr’s top scorer in the AFC Champions League, with six goals to his name. His outstanding form has played a pivotal role in the team’s journey to the semifinals—now just one win away from reaching a continental final for the first time since 1995, when they were defeated by South Korea’s Ilhwa Chunma.
Cristiano Ronaldo of Al Nassr looks on prior the AFC Champions League Elite – Quarter Final match between Yokohama Marinosi and Al Nassr at Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Stadium on April 26, 2025 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images)
Al Nassr’s probable lineup
GK: Bento Krepski
DEF: Nawaf Boushal, Ali Lajami, Mohamed Simakan, Sultan Al Ghanam
MID: Marcelo Brozovic, Ali Al Hassan, Otavio
FWD: Sadio Mané, Jhon Durán, Cristiano Ronaldo
Manager: Stefano Pioli
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What happens if Al Nassr win, tie or lose vs Kawasaki Frontale today in 2025 AFC Champions League semifinals?
