Naegohyang beat Tokyo Verdy Beleza 1-0 in South Korea finalKim Kyong-yong scores only goal in rare trip across borderThe first North Korean team to visit the South in eight years crowned their trip by winning the Asian Women’s Champions League, beating Japan’s Tokyo Verdy Beleza 1-0 in Saturday’s final.Naegohyang Women’s FC lifted the trophy thanks to captain Kim Kyong Yong’s goal just before half-time in the South Korean city of Suwon. Continue reading...
Al Hilal defeated Neom and extended the 2025-26 Saudi Pro League title race until Tuesday, when Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr could still clinch the championship. Cristiano Ronaldo and Al Nassr had a historic opportunity this Saturday to win two titles in a single day. In addition to playing the AFC Champions League Two final against Gamba Osaka, they also had the chance to secure the Saudi Pro League crown — something that ultimately did not happen because of Al Hilal’s victory over Neom. Al Nassr’s international run forced them to play their Matchday 33 fixture early, a couple of weeks ago against Al Shabab. That victory gave them a five-point lead over their closest challengers, Al Hilal. As a result, Karim Benzema’s team entered Saturday needing a win to take the title race into the final round of the season. And they delivered. Simone Inzaghi’s side earned a 2-0 victory thanks to goals from Ruben Neves from the penalty spot and Sultan Mandash. With the win, Al Hilal cut the gap at the top of the Saudi Pro League standings to two points, keeping their title hopes alive heading into Tuesday. Al Nassr remain atop the Saudi Pro League standings with 83 points, meaning they still control their own destiny in the title race. However, any slip-up next week could allow Al Hilal to snatch the trophy away from them. Saudi Pro League standings (Google) What’s next for Al Nassr and Al Hilal? The 2025-26 Saudi Pro League will conclude next Thursday with Matchday 34, the final round of the season. Final standings will determine relegation, qualification for continental competitions, and, of course, the league title. League leaders Al Nassr will face Damac in a match with major implications at both ends of the table. While Cristiano Ronaldo and his teammates will be chasing the win needed to secure the trophy, their opponents will be fighting to avoid relegation. Right now, they sit just two points above the drop zone, currently occupied by Al Riyadh. Al Hilal, meanwhile, appear to face a tougher challenge on paper. Instead of meeting a team near the bottom of the standings, they will take on a side that has enjoyed a more stable season. Al Fayha currently sit 11th in the table, although having nothing left to play for in the final matchday could affect their intensity. Possible scenarios for the Saudi Pro League title race All Matchday 34 games in the Saudi Pro League will kick off simultaneously on Tuesday to prevent teams from gaining an advantage by knowing other results beforehand and adjusting their strategy accordingly. For Al Hilal, the mission is clear. Sitting two points behind leaders Al Nassr, their only chance of overtaking them is by defeating Al Fayha. If Karim Benzema and his teammates fail to win their own match, they will have no chance of lifting the trophy. Al Nassr, meanwhile, have a wider range of possibilities in front of them. A victory would secure the Saudi Pro League title regardless of any other result. But if they fail to win, they will need to keep a close eye on what happens elsewhere. If Al Nassr draw or lose against Damac and Al Hilal fail to win, Cristiano Ronaldo would still lift the trophy. If Al Nassr lose and Al Hilal win, Benzema would claim the league title instead. However, if Al Nassr draw and Al Hilal win, both teams would finish level on points. In that case, the tiebreaker would come down to head-to-head results during the season, where Al Hilal hold the advantage after winning one meeting and drawing the other.
Cristiano Ronaldo is on the verge of winning the Saudi Pro League, and for the decisive game against Damac FC, he'll be reportedly counting with Al Nassr star Kingsley Coman. Cristiano Ronaldo will have the chance to secure the 2025-26 Saudi Pro League title this Thursday in a high-stakes season finale against Damac FC, a match where he’ll need the absolute best from himself and his supporting cast. In a significant boost for the winner-take-all clash, reports claim that Al Nassr star winger Kingsley Coman has fully recovered and will be available. The Saudi powerhouse took a massive emotional hit on Saturday, crashing out of the AFC Champions League Two final with a 1-0 loss to Gamba Osaka. While dreams of a historic double have faded, the squad has no time to lick its wounds with another trophy on the line in less than a week, and Ronaldo is already seeing reinforcements return to the pitch. According to Saudi outlet Al Arriyadiyah, Coman has shown complete readiness to rejoin the starting XI for the match against Damac FC. Al Nassr returned to the training grounds on Monday following a scheduled rest day on Sunday, and the Frenchman reportedly participated fully without showing any signs of lingering physical discomfort. Despite being one of the team’s most lethal weapons, Coman began the final against Gamba Osaka on the bench due to a recent muscle strain, a pre-match gamble manager Jorge Jesus later addressed. “Our team is physically exhausted, and we took a gamble by playing Coman and Angelo,” the Portuguese tactician admitted during his post-match press conference. Kingsley Coman of Al Nassr. The French winger eventually entered the match in the 66th minute but struggled to alter the momentum with Al Nassr already chasing the game. However, with Al Arriyadiyah reporting a full recovery, Ronaldo will have his primary playmaker back in the fold, a crucial connection, considering five of the 12 assists Coman has delivered in his debut Al Nassr campaign have directly set up the Portuguese legend. Brozovic remains the biggest question mark for Al Nassr With Coman cleared, Al Nassr are expected to deploy a terrifying, star-studded attack featuring the Frenchman and Sadio Mane on the flanks, Joao Felix operating as a false nine, and Ronaldo spearheading the frontline. However, that immense firepower could face transitional issues in the buildup and defensive phases, as midfield anchor Marcelo Brozovic remains a major doubt. The same report from Al Arriyadiyah all but ruled out a quick return for the Croatian international. The veteran midfielder, who was sorely missed during the continental final against Gamba Osaka, spent Monday continuing his rehabilitation and treatment sessions inside the medical clinic at the “Dar Al-Nassr” training center. On paper, Al Nassr enter the match as heavy favorites against a 15th-place Damac side sitting on just 29 points. But with the visitors needing a single point to mathematically guarantee safety from relegation, and boasting a direct style that ranks third in the SPL in long balls per game (21.1), playing without Brozovic to shield the backline could cost Ronaldo’s side dearly.
Cristiano Ronaldo must wait to win his first title with Al Nassr after the draw against Al Hilal. Al Nassr’s Saudi Pro League title race was pushed back after Tuesday’s draw. Cristiano Ronaldo had the chance to secure the championship with one match left, but now he will have to wait a few more days after a draw with Al Hilal and an AFC Champions League Two final loss to Gamba Osaka. The forward could have won the title with Al Nassr without even playing if Al Hilal failed to beat Neom, which did not happen on Saturday as they secured a 2-0 victory. This means the gap is now just two points with one match remaining, so Ronaldo must wait until next Thursday. No mistakes are allowed as Damac stand in their way while fighting to avoid relegation. If Al Nassr win, they will clinch the title regardless of how Al Hilal finish their match. Another way they can do it is if Al Hilal do not defeat Al-Fayha. If they finish level on points, the head-to-head record favors Al Hilal after they won the first meeting. Al Nassr’s season After several years in which inconsistency defined their performances, Al Nassr were much stronger this season. Their number of wins shows they were the most dominant side, with 27 victories. Ronaldo must wait a bit more (Abdullah Ahmed/Getty Images) Their fewest results were draws, with only two all season. That suggests they were a high-risk team, always going for the win, even if that sometimes led to defeats. Al Nassr did not have a perfect season in that respect. Unlike Al Hilal, who finished without a loss, Ronaldo’s team lost four times. Still, the most important thing is that they got the result they wanted. The goal difference As is often the case with champions around the world, Al Nassr had a strong goal difference backed by their attacking power. They scored 87 goals and conceded only 27, finishing with a plus-60 goal difference on their way to the title.
The confirmed lineups for Al Nassr vs Gamba Osaka with Cristiano Ronaldo in the lineup. A big day lies ahead for Cristiano Ronaldo as he looks to add another title to his great career, with Al Nassr facing Gamba Osaka in the AFC Champions League Two final in Riyadh. While the focus was on the Saudi Pro League earlier this week, attention now shifts fully to this final. Al Nassr want to keep their perfect record after reaching this match by winning all 10 of their games. The road was a bit longer for Gamba Osaka, as they had to play two more matches than their rivals. Even so, their run was impressive, with 9 wins in 12 matches and only one loss. Al Nassr vs. Gamba Osaka lineups The lineup chosen by Jorge Jesus was: Bento; Boushal, Simakan, Iñigo, Ayman; Alhassan, Saad; Ghareeb, Mané, João Félix; Ronaldo. Ronaldo couldn’t celebrate in the week (Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images) As for the Japanese club managed by Jens Wissing, the players he selected were: Araki; Miura, Kishimoto, Nakatani, Hatsuse; Suzuki, Mito; Meshino, Jebali, Yamashita; Hümmet. Their league positions Al Nassr are on the verge of winning the Saudi Pro League, which they could do today if Al Hilal do not beat Neom. If that happens, they would only need a win over Damac in the final match. Gamba Osaka are in a different situation, as they have played 17 matches so far and currently sit third in the J1 League.
City seal domestic double with 3-1 victory over Nix at AAMI ParkMcNamara scores twice, McKenna adds screamer in grand finalTwo goals in three minutes from Matildas forward Holly McNamara and a stunning strike by Leticia McKenna have won Melbourne City a record-equalling fifth A-League Women championship title, defeating Wellington Phoenix 3-1 in Melbourne on Saturday afternoon.McNamara, fresh off her golden boot win for most goals scored in the regular season, sprung to life late in the first half. A sensational spin-and-strike from outside the box in the 41st minute opened the scoring before McNamara went scything through Wellington defenders to spear her second into the bottom corner two minutes later. Continue reading...
Portugal head coach Roberto Martinez spoke highly of Cristiano Ronaldo. With less than a month remaining before the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Cristiano Ronaldo appears ready to once again lead Portugal in pursuit of glory. Head coach Roberto Martinez recently shared his thoughts on the veteran forward. “Cristiano continues to have a great desire to win and I see no sign that his level has dropped since he came to Saudi Arabia,” Martinez said during a recent interview with the German Press Agency (DPA) after attending the Saudi Pro League clash between Al Nassr and Al Hilal. In that match, CR7 was in the starting lineup and remained on the field for 82 minutes before being replaced by Abdullah Al-Hamdan. It marked his 35th club appearance of the season across the domestic league, the King’s Cup, the AFC Champions League Two, and the Saudi Super Cup. Overall, the 41-year-old forward has recorded 28 goals and five assists. “He is playing exceptionally well and has proven his importance to the Portuguese national team. His passion continues, even after all the successes and achievements he has reached, and having that hunger is quite remarkable,” Martinez later added. Cristiano Ronaldo playing for Portugal. That level of form has not only been evident with Al Nassr, as Ronaldo has also remained a key player at the international level. This season, he has played in five of Portugal’s eight matches across World Cup qualifiers and friendlies, scoring five goals. His absences came because of suspension and a hamstring injury suffered earlier this year. Ronaldo has no special privileges with Portugal, Martinez says Despite his superstar status and having firmly established himself as the greatest player in Portugal’s history, Cristiano Ronaldo does not receive special treatment within the national team setup, according to Roberto Martinez. “Achievements alone are not enough to guarantee a place in the national team. It is also necessary to contribute to the team’s success,” the coach said during the same interview. “Although he is the captain and has achieved unprecedented success that demonstrates his exceptional talent, he has the same responsibilities as any other player on the national team.” Cristiano Ronaldo’s upcoming challenges While the 2026 FIFA World Cup is shaping up as the biggest event of the year, and the tournament is now less than a month away, Cristiano Ronaldo remains focused on important club objectives before then. Saturday could become a historic day for Al Nassr, as the club has a chance to secure two titles. On one hand, they will face Gamba Osaka in the AFC Champions League Two final, while in the Saudi Pro League they will also be monitoring Al Hilal’s result against Neom. If Karim Benzema’s side fails to defeat Neom, Al Nassr will automatically be crowned league champions. Otherwise, the title race will be decided on Tuesday.
Following the draw against Al Hilal, Cristiano Ronaldo sent a message of encouragement to Al Nassr as the club continues its pursuit of the Saudi Pro League title. Al Nassr drew 1-1 against Al Hilal on Tuesday, missing a golden opportunity to clinch the Saudi Pro League title. Cristiano Ronaldo, however, shared an optimistic message with the club’s fans afterward. “The dream is close. Heads up, we have one more step to take!” Ronaldo wrote on his official Instagram and X accounts on Tuesday, just minutes after a bizarre mistake by goalkeeper Bento denied Al Nassr both the victory and the title. “Thank you all for the amazing support tonight!” the Portuguese forward added, acknowledging the thousands of fans who backed the team during the crucial clash against Al Hilal, as well as the millions around the world who continue to follow him throughout every stage of his professional career. Despite its brevity, the message reflected a dramatic shift in Ronaldo’s mindset within just a matter of minutes. In the immediate aftermath of the final whistle, he appeared deeply affected by the missed opportunity for Al Nassr, to the point that television cameras captured him still sitting on the bench while being comforted by members of the coaching staff. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Cristiano Ronaldo (@cristiano) Fans strongly rallied behind Cristiano’s words. Within just a few minutes, the Instagram post surpassed 500,000 likes and 15,000 comments, most of them containing messages of support for the 40-year-old star. The same happened on X, where the post also generated more than 80,000 likes and 7,000 comments. Cristiano Ronaldo’s upcoming challenges Cristiano Ronaldo’s optimistic message is fitting considering the challenges that await him in the short term. Al Nassr are just one step away from securing not one, but two titles this season — and it could happen as soon as next Saturday. First, Jorge Jesus’ team will attempt to lift the AFC Champions League Two trophy when they face Japan’s Gamba Osaka in the final at Alawwal Park. There, Ronaldo will have the opportunity to win the sixth continental trophy of his career, after capturing one UEFA Champions League title with Manchester United and four with Real Madrid. That same day, he could also celebrate winning the Saudi Pro League title. While Al Nassr will not play, Al Hilal will face Neom. If Karim Benzema and his teammates fail to win that match, they will no longer have a chance to compete for the league trophy, officially handing the title to Cristiano Ronaldo and Al Nassr. And even if Al Hilal win that game, Al Nassr will still remain top of the standings with a two-point lead. That means a victory next Tuesday against Damac would secure the trophy regardless of Al Hilal’s result against Al Fayha happening at the same time.
Al Nassr and Al Hilal face each other in a title-defining clash in the 2025–26 Saudi Pro League, giving Cristiano Ronaldo the opportunity to win his first title with the club. With both teams fighting for the league title, the match is expected to be highly competitive. Al Nassr and Al Hilal faced each other in a match that seemed destined to decide the Saudi Pro League champion. Jorge Jesus’ team did not start the game well, as they were dominated by Simone Inzaghi’s side during the first half. Despite this, a goal from Mohamed Simakan appeared to turn the match around, bringing Cristiano Ronaldo closer to his first league title with the team. However, a mistake from Bento handed the equalizer to the opposition in the final minutes For much of the first half, Al Hilal established as the dominant side. Relying on high pressing and excellent collective play, they managed to pin Al Nassr back inside their own area. Nevertheless, Karim Benzema and Kanno failed to convert their scoring chances, missing a huge opportunity to put the match away efficiently. Then, Mohamed Simakan scored a goal that completely changed the course of the game. Although Jorge Jesus’ team were dominated during the first half, they still managed to remain competitive thanks to Sadio Mané, who led the entire attack with an outstanding performance. Nevertheless, it was Simakan’s goal that changed the game, as Al Hilal dropped deep into their own area while Al Nassr began to take control. Far from slowing down, they maintained that same intensity in the second half, but failed to extend their lead. Ruben Neves looks on following the Saudi Pro League match between Al Nassr and Al Hilal. Simakan’s goal for Al Nassr was overshadowed by Bento’s mistake Toward the end of the first half, Al Nassr caught Al Hilal by surprise, regaining momentum on the counterattack and earning a corner kick. After an excellent delivery from Marcelo Brozović, several players attempted to strike the ball without success. Nevertheless, a rebound fell kindly to Mohamed Simakan, who did not hesitate to unleash a powerful shot, beating Yassine Bounou and seemingly handing Cristiano Ronaldo the Saudi Pro League title. 🚨قووووووووووووووووووووول 🔥🔥#النصر_الهلال #SPL#دوري_روشن_السعودي #النصر #AlNassr pic.twitter.com/VdRV7Hhrzp— رتيبان الدوسري | RTIBAN (@Rtiban1) May 12, 2026 After a very balanced second half, the match appeared set to end in a victory for Jorge Jesus’ team. Nevertheless, in the 90+8th minute, a powerful throw-in from an Al Hilal player reached Bento Krepski. Although the Brazilian goalkeeper had delivered a strong performance throughout the match, he failed to control the ball properly, allowing it to slip through his hands and resulting in an own goal that handed the equalizer to the opposition. Bento with an unfortunate 90+8' own goal ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/IaBAaeIf6v— Roshn Saudi League (@SPL_EN) May 12, 2026
Al Nassr were on the verge of winning the Saudi Pro League title, but a costly mistake by Bento denied Cristiano Ronaldo the chance to celebrate. The Saudi Pro League delivered its biggest match of the season on Tuesday. With Al Nassr on the brink of the title, a late mistake by Bento kept Al Hilal alive and prevented Cristiano Ronaldo from celebrating his first trophy in Saudi Arabia. With two matches remaining in the 2025-26 season, Al Nassr entered the game knowing that a victory would secure the title, as it would eliminate their rivals’ chances of catching them in the standings. And Jorge Jesus’ team appeared to be taking care of business. In the 37th minute of the first half, Mohamed Simakan gave Al Nassr the lead after scoring from a scramble inside the box. Aware of how valuable that advantage was, they defended well for the remainder of the match, giving their opponents very few dangerous opportunities. However, that resistance collapsed on the final play of the game. With Cristiano Ronaldo already on the bench after being substituted by Abdullah Al-Hamdan, goalkeeper Bento failed while attempting to clear a throw-in and scored a bizarre own goal that allowed Al Hilal to equalize, keeping the Saudi Pro League title race alive. ¡NO SE PUEDE CREER! 😱 Autogol del portero Bento que evita el grito de campeón de CR7 y compañía. #SPLenFOX #FOXDeportes pic.twitter.com/Y6POeZRrsZ— FOX Deportes (@FOXDeportes) May 12, 2026 Perhaps the strangest part of Bento’s mistake is that the goal was only possible — and ultimately counted — because of the goalkeeper’s touch. FIFA rules prohibit teams from scoring directly from a throw-in, meaning the ball must touch another player, either teammate or opponent, before entering the net. That means if Bento had simply allowed the ball to go into the goal untouched, the score would have been disallowed and Al Nassr would have secured both the victory and the title. Cristiano Ronaldo’s wait for a title with Al Nassr continues Cristiano Ronaldo came within seconds of ending the title drought that has followed him since arriving in Saudi Arabia in January 2023. Since then, Al Nassr have failed to win any of the three Saudi Pro League seasons they have played, while also falling short in the King’s Cup, the Saudi Super Cup, and the AFC Champions League Elite. That context helps explain Ronaldo’s reaction after Bento’s own goal. Once the match ended, TV cameras captured the Portuguese forward on the bench, visibly devastated and still lamenting the missed opportunity. All of us right now 😢 pic.twitter.com/d2XGs0XPsc— Al Nassr Zone (@TheNassrZone) May 12, 2026 What does the Saudi Pro League race look like now? Al Hilal’s late equalizer leaves the Saudi Pro League title race wide open. Al Nassr still lead the standings by five points, but there is one important detail working against them: Al Hilal have played one fewer match, meaning they control their own destiny to close the gap. On Saturday, May 16, Al Hilal will face Neom. If they fail to win, Al Nassr will officially be crowned Saudi Pro League champions. But if they earn the victory, they will move within just two points of first place with one match remaining. That final round will take place only three days later: on May 21, Al Hilal will take on Al Fayha, while Al Nassr will face Damac.
Cristiano Ronaldo has been unable to claim the Saudi Pro League with Al Nassr after the 1-1 draw against Al Hilal. Cristiano Ronaldo saw his chances to secure the 2025-26 Saudi Pro League title with Al Nassr fading away with a thrilling 1-1 draw against Al Hilal. By splitting the points with only a fraction of the schedule remaining, Al Nassr have left the door wide open at the top of the table. Tuesday’s showdown between Al Nassr and Al Hilal carried massive title implications, with the hosts needing a win to effectively wrap up the race. Conversely, had the side led by Karim Benzema managed even a draw, they would have maintained control of their own destiny to potentially leapfrog Al Nassr in the final week. The match turned on a series of pivotal moments, starting with a Benzema strike that was ultimately wiped off the board for offside. In the 37th minute, Al Nassr capitalized on a corner kick as Kingsley Coman found Mohamed Simakan in the heart of the box for the opening goal, but the drama peaked in stoppage time. Following a late throw-in, a rare lapse from goalkeeper Bento allowed Al Hilal to snatch a 1-1 draw and silence the Al Awwal Park crowd. How do the 2025-26 Saudi Pro League standings look after Al Nassr’s win? The stalemate keeps Al Nassr at the summit of the table, moving them to 83 points through 33 games in the 2025-26 SPL campaign. Meanwhile, Al Hilal remains in second place with 78 points through 32 matches, remarkably maintaining their unbeaten status through the current league season. Saudi Pro League current standings. The late-season drama now shifts entirely to Al Hilal’s critical game in hand. That last-minute equalizer handed Benzema’s side a legitimate lifeline to snatch the title away from Ronaldo; while they trail by five points, a negative result from the leaders could open the opportunity to claim the league trophy. If they win their final two matches, Al Hilal will need for Al Nassr to drop points in their last matchup. With the trophy still very much up for grabs, Al Nassr will play their final league game against Damac FC on Thursday, May 21, just weeks before the 2026 World Cup kickoff. Al Hilal, now sensing blood in the water, must regroup for a May 16 clash with Neom SC before concluding their domestic hunt against Al Fayha on the 21st. Ronaldo eyes continental glory before SPL resolution While the domestic title remains in limbo, Cristiano Ronaldo is still searching for his first major trophy since arriving in Riyadh. A league title would be Al Nassr’s first since 2018-19, but before that is decided, the Portuguese icon has a chance to secure a massive piece of silverware on the continental stage. On Saturday, May 16, Al Nassr will host Japanese side Gamba Osaka at Al Awwal Park for the AFC Champions League Two final, where Ronaldo will hunt for his first continental title in Asia. While the domestic league was always the primary objective, a victory on Saturday would secure Al Nassr’s fourth international trophy and cap off a historic week for the club.
Following their victory over Al Shabab, Al Nassr are on the verge of clinching the Saudi Pro League title, needing a win today against Al Hilal to secure it. With this in mind, both teams are fielding their strongest lineups, as the season could come down to this one game. Al Nassr and Al Hilal face each other in one of the most competitive matches of the season, as today’s game could determine the winner of the 2025–26 Saudi Pro League. Although Jorge Jesus’ team remain at the top of the table, they have lost four matches this season. This is far from the case for Simone Inzaghi’s team, as they remain unbeaten throughout the campaign, complicating Cristiano Ronaldo’s hopes of being crowned league champion. Al Hilal have managed to become the most consistent team in the league, remaining the only unbeaten side. Under head coach Simone Inzaghi, they have maintained one of the league’s best defenses, supported by a strong midfield. In addition, Karim Benzema and Sergej Milinković-Savić lead the attack, with support from Malcom and Theo Hernández on the wings, giving them hope of securing a victory. Head coach Jorge Jesus has transformed Al Nassr’s reality, turning them into the best offensive team in the Saudi Pro League. Not only is Cristiano Ronaldo shining from a scoring standpoint, but João Félix and Sadio Mané are as well, giving the team versatility and changes of pace. Despite this, they face a clear challenge: Maintaining defensive consistency, something they have rarely achieved this season despite the strong performances of Iñigo Martínez. In case Cristiano Ronaldo’s team manage to defeat Al Hilal, they could be crowned Saudi Pro League champions, ending a seven-year drought. That’s why both teams are playing for the most important part of the season, as Karim Benzema’s side would need a victory today and to maintain their unbeaten run in the remaining matches to take the title away from Al Nassr. Cristiano Ronaldo of Al-Nassr celebrates with teammate Kingsley Coman. Al Nassr confirmed lineup vs Al Hilal Despite entering today’s match as favorites, Al Nassr will face Al Hilal with five key absences: Ângelo, Nawaf Al-Aqeedi, Raghid Alaa Najjar, Sami Al-Najei, and Mubarak Buainain. Nevertheless, head coach Jorge Jesus has recovered Kingsley Coman, allowing him to partner Sadio Mané on the wings. From a scoring standpoint, Cristiano Ronaldo and João Félix are expected to be key once again, just as they have been throughout the season. Considering this, Al Nassr will lineup as follows: Bento Krepski; Nawaf Boushal, Abdulelah Al-Amri, Mohamed Simakan, Iñigo Martinez; Kingsley Coman, Ali Alhassan, Marcelo Brozovic, Sadio Mane; Joao Felix, Cristiano Ronaldo. Al Hilal confirmed lineup vs Al Nassr Al Hilal are looking to surprise Al Nassr by defeating them with their impressive defensive and offensive consistency. Although head coach Simone Inzaghi will be without Hamad Al Yami and Kalidou Koulibaly, he still has Karim Benzema, Sergej Milinković-Savić, Theo Hernández, and Rúben Neves available. With them in the roster, they are aiming for a victory that would once again establish them as favorites to win the Saudi Pro League. With this in mind, Al Hilal will play as follows: Yassine Bounou; Hassan Altambakti, Moteb Al-Harbi, Ruben Neves, Theo Hernández; Mohamed Kanno, Nasser Aldawsari; Malcom, Sergej Milinković-Savić, Salem Al Dawsari; Karim Benzema.
Ahead of the key SPL clash against Cristiano Ronaldo's Al Nassr, Karim Benzema will be counting with Al Hilal star teammates Theo Hernandez and Yassine Bounou. Karim Benzema has been tasked with stopping Cristiano Ronaldo from clinching the Saudi Pro League title when the two icons clash on Tuesday. As the massive showdown draws closer, the Frenchman has received a well-timed squad boost with stars Theo Hernandez and Yassine Bounou officially cleared to join Al Hilal’s matchday squad. Currently trailing Al Nassr by five points, Al Hilal hold a critical advantage with a game in hand. While Ronaldo’s side has only two fixtures remaining, Benzema’s squad has three, creating a must-win scenario for the visitors to keep their title hopes alive. If Al Nassr secure the victory on home turf, they will mathematically end the race and be crowned champions. Following the high-stakes derby at Al Awwal Park on Tuesday, May 12, Al Nassr will have only one remaining league fixture against Damac FC on May 21. Conversely, Al Hilal will have two games left, a May 16 meeting with Neom SC and a season finale against Al Fayha, meaning a win over Ronaldo’s side would put the Blue Waves in a position to control their own destiny. Theo Hernandez and Yassine Bounou cleared for Al Hilal In major team news, former AC Milan standout Theo Hernandez and Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bounou have been confirmed as available for Simone Inzaghi’s squad. Both players have been foundational to Al Hilal’s campaign, contributing to a remarkable run that has seen the club suffer only one defeat across 45 matches this season. Theo Hernandez (L) and Yassine Bounou (R) of Al Hilal. Concern over Hernandez’s fitness surfaced during the King’s Cup final against Al Kholood on May 8, when the Frenchman was forced off in the 83rd minute with an apparent injury. However, per Al Arriyadiyah, subsequent medical examinations revealed the issue was minor, clearing the defender to participate in tomorrow’s winner-take-all Derby. Koulibaly stands as the only major absence With only one month remaining before the 2026 World Cup kicks off, neither Ronaldo nor Benzema are considering rest with such a massive trophy on the line. However, Al Hilal will have to navigate this clash without defensive anchor Kalidou Koulibaly, an absence that could tip the scales in Al Nassr’s favor. Koulibaly has reportedly failed to reach full fitness as he continues his rehabilitation for a thigh injury sustained just before the team traveled to Jeddah for the AFC Champions League Elite knockout rounds. He remains sidelined alongside Hamad Al Yami, who is recovering from knee surgery, leaving Inzaghi with a significant void to fill in the heart of his defense.
Set to host a potential title-clinching showdown against Karim Benzema’s Al Hilal, Cristiano Ronaldo called on Al Nassr fans to turn their home stadium into a fortress. Cristiano Ronaldo is just one step away from securing his first Saudi Pro League title and ending Al Nassr‘s trophy drought in the Middle East. Set to face Karim Benzema’s Al Hilal in a match that will likely determine the champion, the Portuguese forward has issued a rallying cry to Al Nassr fans ahead of the massive showdown. Al Nassr will host Al Hilal at Al Awwal Park on Tuesday, May 12, for Matchday 32 of the 2025-26 Saudi Pro League campaign. Ronaldo’s side currently sits in first place with 82 points through 32 games, while Benzema’s squad trails with 77 points in 31 games; a home victory would mathematically secure the title for Al Nassr. With the championship on the line, Ronaldo took to social media to deliver a personal message to the supporters expected to pack Al Awwal Park.. “Your support has pushed us every single week. In the stadium, at home and everywhere around the world. That energy is with us on the pitch,” the legendary striker wrote. “Let’s make it count. For us. For you. For Nassr. See you tomorrow,” Ronaldo concluded. The home-field advantage has been undeniable this season, as Al Nassr have claimed all three points in 14 of their 15 league matches played at Al Awwal Park. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Cristiano Ronaldo (@cristiano) The club’s only blemish at home came back on January 8, a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Al Qadsiah. Despite that lone slip-up, the nearly perfect home record has defined their 25-26 campaign, and Ronaldo is eager to harness that atmosphere one more time for a potentially historic night. Ronaldo and Benzema: Face to face once again After spending nine years together at Real Madrid as part of the lethal “BBC” trio alongside Gareth Bale, the Frenchman and the Portuguese icon meet again as rivals in Saudi Arabia. The two superstars have faced off six times since arriving in the kingdom, maintaining a perfectly balanced head-to-head record that could be broken tomorrow. Since Benzema‘s initial move to Saudi Arabia in 2023, he has claimed three victories over Ronaldo, while the Portuguese star has matched him with three wins of his own. Ronaldo holds the slight edge in individual production during these matchups with four goals and an assist, while Benzema has recorded three goals and one helper in these high-stakes encounters. This clash carries extra intrigue as it marks Benzema’s first game since joining Al Hilal, following rumors of Ronaldo’s attempts to block the Frenchman’s move to his club’s biggest rivals. Ronaldo currently holds a difficult record against Al Hilal with six losses in nine games, but with the SPL title up for grabs, he will be desperate to flip the script.
Despite the recent defeat against Al Qadisiya, Al Nassr travel to face Al Shabab looking to move closer to the Saudi Pro League title. To achieve this, fans are closely monitoring Cristiano Ronaldo’s availability, as he could make the difference with his goalscoring ability. Al Nassr have established as one of the best teams in the Saudi Pro League, standing out for their powerful attack. However, the recent defeat against Al Qadisiya raised serious doubts about their chances of winning the league title. Nevertheless, Jorge Jesus’ team now face Al Shabab, aiming for a convincing victory. To achieve this, fans are closely watching Cristiano Ronaldo’s availability, as his goalscoring ability could prove decisive. After avoiding injuries and suspensions, Cristiano Ronaldo is in full fitness. Because of this, head coach Jorge Jesus will start the Portuguese forward, as he arrives in strong form and could make the difference once again. Sitting six goals away from the top scorer spot in the Saudi Pro League, he could look to begin another strong scoring run, especially with Julián Quiñones in excellent form and threatening to take that distinction away from him. Coupled with Cristiano Ronaldo, Al Nassr will once again turn to João Félix as his ideal attacking partner, as the Portuguese forward has become a cornerstone of the squad. Not only he creates space for Ronaldo in the final third, but he also poses a scoring threat with his ability to strike from distance. Meanwhile, Sadio Mané and Kingsley Coman will also start, with their pace and dribbling may play a key role in securing a crucial victory. Al Shabab are now winless in their last four matches. Despite having stars such as Yannick Carrasco and Yacine Adli, they have failed to maintain strong consistency. Alongside this, head coach Noureddine Zekri has not managed to provide defensive solidity, with the team conceding five goals in their previous match. Because of this, they could struggle against Cristiano Ronaldo’s team’s attack. Cristiano Ronaldo of team Al Nassr FC celebrates scoring Al Shabab lineups vs Al Nassr Following their disappointing winless run, Al Shabab head into the clash against Al Nassr with major expectations. Head coach Noureddine Zekri will be without Mohamed Harbush, Carlos Júnior, and Ali Al-Asmari due to injuries. In addition, Abderrazak Hamdallah will miss the match through suspension, further complicating the team’s hopes. Despite this, Yannick Carrasco and Yacine Adli will look to make the difference in attack, standing as the team’s biggest hopes. With this in mind, they will lineup as follows: 11 LIONS READY TO ROAR 🦁 #YallaShabab 🤍🖤 pic.twitter.com/8c3JwLxnrF— AlShabab Saudi Club (@AlShabab_EN) May 7, 2026 Al Nassr lineup vs Al Shabab Despite the recent defeat, Al Nassr have still shown themselves to be one of the best teams in the Saudi Pro League. However, head coach Jorge Jesus will be without Raghid Alaa Najjar, Mubarak Buainain, and Sami Al-Najei due to injuries. Even so, he still has his biggest stars available, with Cristiano Ronaldo remaining the undisputed leader. Facing a fragile defense, they could have the perfect opportunity to shine. Considering this, Al Nassr will play as follows: 📋 Let’s handle business 💛 pic.twitter.com/XqnrLcbW5Q— AlNassr FC (@AlNassrFC_EN) May 7, 2026
Al Shabab take on Al Nassr in a Matchday 33 showdown of the 2025/2026 Saudi Pro League. Fans can follow every moment with full kickoff schedules and broadcast information, including where to watch on TV and streaming platforms across the United States. Here are all of the details of where you can watch Al Shabab vs Al Nassr on US television and via legal streaming: WHO Al Shabab vs Al Nassr WHAT Saudi Pro League WHEN 2:00pm ET / 11:00am PT • Thursday, May 7, 2026 WHERE Fubo STREAM WATCH NOW Match Overview The margin for error is gone for Al Nassr, which saw its once-comfortable cushion shrink to just two points following a 3-1 stumble against Al Qadsiah. Now, with the title race tightening, all eyes turn to Cristiano Ronaldo and an Al Nassr squad that knows perfection from here on out may be required to secure the crown. Standing in their way is an unpredictable Al Shabab side still hovering near the relegation picture, desperate to grab points and stabilize its season. With both clubs carrying plenty at stake—one chasing a championship, the other fighting for security—this clash shapes up as a high-intensity showdown. More details on how to watch With Fubo, you can watch Al Shabab vs Al Nassr and tons more games. With the legal streaming service, you can watch the game on your computer, smartphone, tablet, Roku, Apple TV or hook it up to your TV with Google Chromecast. Now with Fubo, you can stream USA Network, ESPN, ESPN2, CBS, CBS Sports Network, FS1, FS2, beIN SPORTS, beIN SPORTS en Español, beIN SPORTS Connect, beIN SPORTS XTRA, NBC, CNBC, USA, FOX, FOX Soccer Plus, FOX Deportes, Telemundo, Universo and Galavision. Plus Fubo, the legal streaming service, also streams Liga MX, World Cup, Women’s World Cup, MLS, UEFA Champions League (in Spanish), Europa League (in Spanish), Primeira Liga, Ligue Un, World Cup qualifiers, NWSL, select USMNT games, select USWNT games, select Mexico games, select England games and more. The Fubo app is available for Windows PC, Mac, Apple iPhones, Android phones, Amazon Fire TV, Android Mobile, Android TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, Hisense TVs, iOS devices, LG TVs, Samsung Smart TVs, Vizio Smartcast TVs and Xbox One. If you’re planning to follow more games on this platform, you can check out the full Fubo soccer schedule to stay up to date with upcoming matches available via the service. How to watch anywhere with VPN If you’re abroad, you may need to use a virtual private network (VPN) in order to watch games using your usual streaming service. A VPN, such as NordVPN, allows you to establish a secure connection online when streaming. If you are not sure which VPN to use, check out World Soccer Talk’s guide to the best VPNs for streaming soccer. Free resources available to you Courtesy of World Soccer Talk, download a complimentary copy of The Ultimate Soccer TV And Streaming Guide, which features details on where to watch all of the leagues from around the world on US TV and streaming. To find out when soccer games are on, download the free Soccer TV Schedules App which includes listings of all of the live soccer matches available in the United States (available on Apple iOS devices and Android devices).
Jorge Jesus revealed the details on how, prior to turning Cristiano Ronaldo's coach at Al Nassr, his move to the Brazil national team collapsed. Jorge Jesus was once the frontrunner to lead the Brazil national team toward the 2026 World Cup long before Carlo Ancelotti entered the frame, but the deal ultimately fell through despite an initial agreement. Now, the Portuguese tactician is opening up about the domino effect that cost him the Selecao job and led him to become Cristiano Ronaldo’s coach at Al Nassr. Following a historic stint with Flamengo from 2019 to 2020, Jesus left an indelible mark on Brazilian soccer. With the national team desperate for a high-profile leader after failing to reclaim South American dominance, he was viewed as the ideal candidate. While still helming Al Hilal in 2024, negotiations intensified, and by December, Jesus had verbally accepted the federation’s proposal. In an interview published Wednesday by the Portuguese outlet Record, Jesus shared striking details about the pursuit: “The Vice President met with me, accompanied by a lawyer, at a hotel in Lisbon. They put me on a video call with Ednaldo Rodrigues, the President of the CBF, who offered me the highest national team coach salary in the world. They were prepared to pay 11 million euros to terminate my contract with Al Hilal.“ By March, Jesus had decided to skip the FIFA Club World Cup at the end of the season to prioritize taking the Brazil job in May. The official appointment was set to follow his run in the AFC Champions League Elite, a plan he had already disclosed to Al Hilal stars Joao Cancelo and Ruben Neves as he prepared for his departure from the Saudi giants. Jorge Jesus coach of Al Nassr. When Dorival Junior was dismissed in late March, the CBF president pressured Jesus to join immediately: “I told him that, as we had agreed, I would travel after the AFC Champions League final, not before. But he responded sharply: ‘I don’t understand your hesitation, with all due respect. What is Al Hilal? I don’t even know it. And you’re hesitating between this club and the best national team in the world, a five-time world champion?’” Ultimately, the deal imploded due to the legal investigations targeting Ednaldo Rodrigues, which forced the CBF president to resign. By the time Samir Xaud was appointed as the new president in May, the federation shifted its focus to Carlo Ancelotti, leaving Jesus, who had already moved on from Al Hilal, without a job and empty-handed. Jorge Jesus and his record-breaking run at Al Nassr With Brazil moving on and Al Hilal having already hired Simone Inzaghi as his replacement, the 71-year-old was left in limbo despite Al Hilal president Fahad bin Nafil’s previous interest in a renewal. However, a personal phone call from Cristiano Ronaldo changed everything, leading Jesus to sign a one-year deal to take the reins at Al Nassr. The veteran coach’s impact was instantaneous, as he quickly became one of the most statistically successful managers in Al Nassr history. According to data from Transfermarkt, Jesus currently boasts a staggering 2.56 Points Per Match (PPM) average, the highest mark of any coach in the club’s history with more than five games on the sidelines. Through 45 matches at the helm, his record stands at 38 wins, one draw, and just six defeats. More importantly, Jesus has Al Nassr positioned to potentially sweep the Saudi Pro League and the AFC Champions League Two, a feat that would finally end Cristiano Ronaldo’s high-profile trophy drought in Saudi Arabia.
