Cristiano Ronaldo
January 2026
Al-Nassr won 1-0 to stay in the title race and Ronaldo posted a focus message despite not scoring, with the gap to leaders Al-Hilal down to five points after 17 games. The match was decided by an own goal, with Al-Nassr controlling the game and Ronaldo emphasizing concentration and incremental progress in a social media post.
Cristiano Ronaldo
January 2026
Al-Nassr fell four points off the top after losing 2-1 to Al Qadsiah, despite Ronaldo scoring a penalty, increasing pressure on their title chase. Ronaldo framed the slump as normal in football, urged professionalism and belief, and posted that the fight is not over, insisting Al-Nassr will keep pushing for trophies.
Joao Felix
January 2026
Joao Felix said Cristiano Ronaldo’s presence and professionalism have helped make him a better player at Al-Nassr, calling him a unique talent and a daily example. Felix pointed to Ronaldo’s work rate, dedication, and performance level at age 40 as a benchmark that lifts the squad’s professionalism and motivation, as Al-Nassr chase trophies and Felix matches Ronaldo in the Golden Boot race.
Antonio Rudiger
December 2025
Rudiger’s Madrid deal expires at the end of next season and renewal talks, originally opened with a mutual desire to agree new terms, have been placed on hold. With no extension yet in place, Chelsea, PSG, Galatasaray and Saudi clubs are circling for a 2026 move. Negotiations were paused by mutual agreement after Rudiger suffered a muscle injury, with both club and player choosing to focus on his recovery before revisiting figures. His previous success at Chelsea, plus lucrative Saudi interest, gives him multiple options as he decides whether to stay in Spain or return to the Premier League.
Cristiano Ronaldo
December 2025
Marlon Harewood says Cristiano Ronaldo’s longevity and numbers were signposted as early as his Manchester United days, arguing that his current output at 40, plus his ambitions to reach 1,000 goals and play with Cristiano Jr, are the product of extreme professionalism. Reflecting on facing Ronaldo in England, Harewood highlighted his work ethic, physical standards and mentality, describing him as the blueprint to show young players. With titles and goals across United, Real Madrid, Juventus and Al-Nassr, he believes nobody should be surprised by Ronaldo’s sustained dominance.
Cristiano Ronaldo
December 2025
Al-Nassr have been placed under a FIFA transfer ban that prevents them registering new players from December 19, with the sanction recorded as lasting “until lifted”. Several other Saudi clubs, including Al Shabab, Damac and Al Riyadh, have also been hit with similar restrictions. The ban’s duration and precise cause have not been publicly detailed, echoing a 2023 registration suspension resolved when Al-Nassr cleared outstanding financial obligations. The new halt creates major uncertainty around mid-season squad planning in Riyadh and could force the club to prioritise internal solutions.
Cristiano Ronaldo
December 2025
Simakan described playing with Ronaldo at Al-Nassr as something that once felt “impossible”, given their age gap and Ronaldo’s legendary status. Since arriving from RB Leipzig, he has featured regularly alongside the Portuguese icon, gaining experience from his standards, preparation and relentless competitiveness. Simakan highlighted Ronaldo’s leadership in training and matches, stressing how his mentality, work rate and expectations shape the dressing room. The defender credits their time together for raising his own level, calling the experience surreal yet invaluable as Al-Nassr chase domestic and continental trophies with Ronaldo still central to their plans.
Cristiano Ronaldo (Al-Nassr/Portugal)
November 2025
At a Riyadh forum, Cristiano Ronaldo said the 2026 World Cup will “for sure” be his last, citing age and satisfaction with his career, while joking he could keep going. The 40-year-old is set for a record sixth World Cup appearance next summer. Ronaldo remains prolific for Al-Nassr and continues to lead Portugal in qualifying, targeting more milestones as he chases 1,000 career goals. His announcement clarifies timelines for national-team succession planning and sets up tributes during Portugal’s run-in to the tournament.
Cristiano Ronaldo (Al-Nassr)
November 2025
Al-Nassr beat Al-Feiha 2-1 after trailing to Jason’s breakaway. A VAR offside ruled out a Kingsley Coman (Al-Nassr) strike, but Ronaldo equalized from a slick move, then buried a stoppage-time penalty. After a cup exit, league leaders stayed perfect with seven wins from seven. Al-Nassr’s high line was punished once, then adjusted. Wide rotations with João Félix (Al-Nassr) and Sadio Mané (Al-Nassr) created half-spaces, feeding Ronaldo. VAR setbacks tested composure; sustained pressure forced the late error for the penalty. Title intent clear, but the backline’s recovery speed needs tightening versus direct counters.
Karim Benzema (Al-Ittihad)
October 2025
Al-Ittihad beat Al-Nassr 2–1 to reach the quarter-finals, with Karim Benzema scoring and Houssem Aouar netting the winner. Despite long spells of Al-Nassr pressure and a second-half red card for Al-Ittihad, Ronaldo, Sadio Mané and João Félix could not convert late dominance into goals as the holders’ defensive resolve held. Ittihad struck via a rapid transition—Moussa Diaby’s cross for Benzema—then absorbed sustained pressure, leaning on compact mid-block spacing and penalty-box discipline. After going down to 10, they tightened lanes and slowed tempo. Al-Nassr created volume without high-quality finishes. Tactical takeaway: Ittihad’s counter-efficiency and box defending can offset possession deficits in knockout ties.
