Cristiano Ronaldo’s quest to achieve 1,000 objectives will get underway on Saturday when Al-Nassr tackle Al-Fateh of their Saudi Pro League opener.
The defending champions go into the season below a brand new head coach with Ange Postecoglou on the helm however all focus will probably be on Ronaldo’s bid to maneuver previous 4 figures in objectives scored in what has been a outstanding profession.
The 41-year-old at the moment has 976 to his identify and if he maintains his strike-rate since shifting to Saudi in December 2022 (in three full seasons, he has scored 35, 25 and 28), he’ll break the landmark in some unspecified time in the future through the 2026/27 marketing campaign.
Ronaldo has missed the majority of Al-Nassr’s pre-season programme after having fun with a post-World Cup break, throughout which he obtained married to long-time companion Georgina Rodriguez, however will probably be again for Saturday’s opener.
His return will probably be welcomed together with his facet struggling in pre-season. Postecoglou’s facet have misplaced three of 4 warm-up matches however the Australian is just too skilled to indicate any indicators of panic.
“Once we spoke in regards to the challenges, we had been conscious that there have been completely different circumstances and challenges, however regardless of the circumstances, we’ve got to take care of them and put together properly,” he mentioned.
“In fact, I don’t promise something, and I’ve all the time achieved one thing in my first season. The matter is just that wherever I am going, I really like to realize success.”
Al-Fateh completed eleventh final season however limped to the end line, successful simply three of their final 20 league video games. Strikers Lukas Haraslin and Wilfried Kanga have bolstered their attacking choices.
Group Information for Al-Nassr v Al-Fateh
Ronaldo is more likely to begin with Postecoglou confirming his famous person striker is match. The previous Tottenham boss has to determine between Nawaf Al-Aqidi and Bento in purpose.
New Al-Fateh boss Khaled Al Atwi has a full squad to select from.
Anticipated line-ups for Al-Nassr v Al-Fateh
Al-Nassr: Bento; Al-Nasser, Simakan, Martinez, Al-Najdi; Al-Najei, Abdulkareem, Mane, Felix, Coman; Ronaldo
Al-Fateh: Al-Bukhari; Al-Jari, Philip, Saadan, Qashish; Al-Zubaidi, Al-Masoud, Delgado, Ramos; Haraslin, Kanga
The place to observe Al-Nassr v Al-Fateh
Kick-off on Saturday is at 19:00 BST (14:00 ET / 11:00 PT). Within the UK, the Saudi top-flight broadcast channel is the Saudi Pro League YouTube channel.
Within the US, FOX Sports activities are the Saudi Professional League stay broadcasters. For various territories, go to the Saudi Pro League broadcaster page.
Al Nassr vs Al Fateh stats
- Al-Nassr gained 5-1 the final time the edges met in Riyadh, with Joao Felix scoring a hat-trick and Ronaldo including a spectacular strike after lacking a penalty
- Ronaldo scored once more when Al-Nassr gained 2-0 at Al-Fateh in the newest assembly between the groups on February 14, when Armen Yahya additionally netted
- The reigning champions recorded essentially the most residence wins (15), factors (46) and objectives (46) in final season’s Saudi Professional League
- Since Might 7 2025, Al-Nassr’s solely residence league defeat has been a 2-1 loss to Al-Qadsiah on January 8 this 12 months
- Al-Qadsiah’s Julian Quinones (33 objectives in 31 video games) and Al-Ahli’s Ivan Toney (32 in 32 matches) are the one gamers to have outscored Ronaldo (28 in 30 appearances) within the 2025/26 division
- Al-Fateh beat Al-Nassr 3-2 at residence within the ultimate recreation of each groups’ Saudi Professional League season in Might 2025, recovering from falling behind to Ronaldo and Sadio Mane objectives
- Martin Vargas scored their first equaliser on that event earlier than Mourad Batna levelled once more within the 81st minute and Matheus Machado scored the 96th-minute winner
- Solely Al-Shabab and Damac (11 every) drew extra video games in final season’s high flight than Al-Fateh (10), who completed eleventh
- Following a 13-match winless run between January and April, Al-Fateh completed final season with one defeat in six matches (W2 D3)
- Solely backside two sides Al-Okhdood and Al-Najma gained fewer away video games within the 2025/26 Saudi Professional League than Al-Fateh (2)
