Al-Hilal Saudi FC defeated Al-Fateh 3-1 in the King's Cup. The fixture is part of the Quarter-finals stage in the 2023 season. The match was played at Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium in Riyadh. R. Petrescu officiated the match. The full-time result capped a Al-Hilal Saudi FC vs Al-Fateh meeting in King's Cup with detailed post-match statistics available on Sportra. This match centre covers lineups, live events, player ratings, team statistics, xG, head-to-head history, and related news for Al-Hilal Saudi FC and Al-Fateh. On Sportra you can view xG, lineups, match statistics, events, player ratings, predictions, head-to-head history, and related news for this fixture.
King's CupRecorded meetings: 9 (available previous meetings, not necessarily all-time).
No prediction, odds, or comparable team statistics are available for this fixture yet. When Sportra has model probabilities and market prices, they will appear here as interactive charts.
The delay comes as Ronaldo continues to enjoy his extended summer break following Portugal's World Cup exit, leaving supporters wondering exactly when they will see their captain back in action. Cristiano Ronaldo‘s return to Al-Nassr has taken another unexpected turn, with the Portuguese superstar set to spend more time away from the club after a fresh decision from Ange Postecoglou’s coaching staff. The delay comes as Ronaldo continues to enjoy his extended summer break following Portugal’s World Cup exit, leaving supporters wondering exactly when they will see their captain back in action. The 41-year-old has remained at the center of attention despite being away from the pitch, with his holiday, family life and future plans generating plenty of discussion. Now, however, a new report has provided a clearer picture of what Postecoglou and Al-Nassr have decided regarding Ronaldo’s return. According to 365Scores Arabic, Al-Nassr’s coaching staff, led by Postecoglou, have decided to give Ronaldo additional rest rather than rushing him back into competitive action. The Portuguese forward is therefore expected to miss Al-Nassr’s opening Saudi Pro League fixture against Al-Fateh and the King’s Cup meeting with Al-Diriyah. The decision means the 41-year-old will have more time to recover from what has been an unusually demanding year. Cristiano Ronaldo of Al Nassr reacts Ronaldo’s extended break follows Portugal’s elimination from the 2026 World Cup. The national team lost narrowly to Spain in the Round of 16, bringing an emotional end to the striker’s international career and giving him another reason to step away from soccer before beginning preparations for the new club season. Ronaldo’s comeback date finally comes into focus The fresh 365Scores Arabic update provides the clearest indication yet of when supporters can expect to see Ronaldo back in an Al-Nassr shirt. His return is now expected to come against Al-Riyadh on August 21, meaning the club’s captain will surely miss the first two competitive fixtures before making his comeback. The decision represents a change from earlier expectations that Ronaldo would return to training relatively soon after completing his post-World Cup recovery period. Instead, Postecoglou has opted to prioritize additional rest, allowing his biggest star to return when he is fully ready for the campaign ahead. القائـد كريستيانو رونالدو يلتقي بنجوم الفريق قبل مواجهة #النصر_الميريا 🤩 pic.twitter.com/szIUbd8ski— نادي النصر السعودي (@AlNassrFC) August 4, 2026 Al-Nassr’s preseason preparations have been taking place in Lisbon under Postecoglou, but Ronaldo is not expected to join the squad during the overseas training camp. The camp officially concluded on August 5, with the squad then scheduled to return to Riyadh. That leaves Ronaldo with a relatively short period to work with his teammates before his eventual competitive return. Still, the club appears willing to sacrifice an early appearance from its captain in exchange for giving him the time needed to prepare properly. Wedding reports create more confusion Ronaldo’s extended absence has also been linked to his personal life, with reports claiming that the superstar had been granted leave to celebrate his wedding to Georgina Rodriguez. However, those reports quickly became complicated after Ronaldo’s sister, Elma Aveiro, publicly pushed back against claims that the couple was getting married. “Why do people think Ronaldo is getting married when he’s never even announced it himself?” she wrote on Instagram, before questioning why the media continued to speculate about the couple’s plans. 🚨🗣️ Elma Aveiro, hermana de la leyenda Cristiano, sobre la aglomeración de la gente en la plaza de la catedral esperando ver a Cristiano Ronaldo y Georgina:Pero ¿por qué cree la gente que Ronaldo se va a casar, si él mismo no lo ha anunciado desde el principio? De todos modos pic.twitter.com/awvdiZqzy9— Arielipillo (@arielipillo) August 8, 2026 Ronaldo himself appea
After weeks of uncertainty surrounding the Saudi club’s ability to register new players, the latest developments suggest the Portuguese midfielder’s arrival is now moving rapidly toward an official announcement. Cristiano Ronaldo could soon have a new midfield partner at Al-Nassr, with Samu Costa’s long-awaited move from Mallorca finally appearing to be on the verge of completion. After weeks of uncertainty surrounding the Saudi club’s ability to register new players, the latest developments suggest the Portuguese midfielder’s arrival is now moving rapidly toward an official announcement. For much of the summer, Al-Nassr’s transfer plans had been complicated by financial restrictions that prevented the club from formally completing previously agreed deals. That situation appears to have changed, with Saudi newspaper Al-Riyadiyah reporting that the club has completed the procedures required to lift the restrictions and resume its recruitment activity. The breakthrough is particularly important because Al-Nassr had reportedly reached an agreement with Real Mallorca in July for Samu Costa. However, the transfer could not immediately be registered because of the financial monitoring imposed on the Saudi champion. According to Al-Riyadiyah, the restrictions have now been lifted, allowing the team to move forward with the registration of new players. The development effectively removes the biggest obstacle standing between Costa and his move to Riyadh. The club’s financial problems had become a major issue during the offseason, with reports claiming that Al-Nassr accumulated liabilities exceeding $280 million. The restructuring process involved the Public Investment Fund (PIF), the Al-Nassr Club Company, and efforts to reorganize existing financial commitments. Cristiano Ronaldo of Al Nassr celebrates with the Saudi Pro League Trophy. Samu Costa announcement date emerges The latest update now gives a much clearer picture of when supporters could finally see the transfer made official. Former Al-Nassr legal department manager Saad Al-Subaie revealed that the league sent approval for Samu Costa on Sunday morning, meaning the club can now submit the documentation to the Professionalism Committee. Al-Subaie also provided an indication of when the announcement could arrive. According to his update, Al-Nassr’s official account is expected to announce the Samu Costa deal within the next 72 hours. Cristiano Ronaldo #7 and Samu Costa #24 during Portugal’s training session. That would bring the Portuguese midfielder closer to becoming the Knight of Najd’s first summer signing after the club finally overcame the financial restrictions that had delayed its recruitment plans. Another Saudi journalist, Abdulaziz Al-Osaimi, also reported that Costa is expected to arrive in Riyadh within the next two days. The timing adds another layer of intrigue to the move, as Al-Nassr is already preparing for the start of the new campaign. The club begins its Saudi Pro League season against Al-Fateh, while it also has ambitions of defending its domestic crown and making another serious push in the AFC Champions League Elite. Costa would fill major midfield vacancy Costa’s arrival would address an important need in the squad following the departure of Marcelo Brozovic. The Croatian midfielder left Al-Nassr after his contract expired at the end of last season, leaving the club with a significant vacancy in the center of the pitch. Costa, who has established himself as an important midfielder at Real Mallorca, would offer another option in an area that needs greater depth. His arrival could become one of the first major pieces of Al-Nassr’s squad rebuild after the club’s financial restrictions were eased. The Portuguese midfielder is also arriving at a fascinating point in the club’s development. Ronaldo remains the centerpiece of Al-Nassr’s project, while the club is looking to surround its captain with enough quality to compete on multiple fronts.
Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Robert Lewandowski, Luis Suarez, and Karim Benzema enter a new season chasing history as one of soccer's greatest individual battles continues to unfold across the world. Cristiano Ronaldo is heading into another season with Al-Nassr, knowing that history is within touching distance. At the same time, Lionel Messi, Robert Lewandowski, Luis Suarez, and Karim Benzema remain among the legendary forwards chasing the very same milestone, ensuring that one of soccer’s greatest individual races will continue across multiple leagues this year. The battle has become one of the defining stories of modern soccer, with several of the game’s most decorated strikers continuing to deliver goals well into the later stages of their careers. While their paths have taken them to different clubs and competitions, they all remain connected by the possibility of achieving a feat no player has ever managed before. The mystery surrounding Ronaldo’s next campaign centers on a chance to become the first player in official soccer history to reach 1,000 career goals. The Portuguese superstar currently sits on 976 official goals, leaving him just 24 strikes away from the unprecedented milestone. That target suddenly appears realistic considering Ronaldo’s remarkable consistency throughout his career. Even at 41 years old, he continues to score regularly for Al-Nassr and remains one of the Saudi Pro League‘s biggest attractions heading into the new season. Cristiano Ronaldo of Al Nassr celebrates with the Saudi Pro League Trophy. Reaching four digits would add another extraordinary achievement to a career already filled with records. Ronaldo has collected five UEFA Champions League titles, the UEFA Euro 2016 trophy, multiple domestic league championships in England, Spain and Italy, and remains international soccer’s all-time leading goalscorer for Portugal. Messi remains Ronaldo’s closest challenger Although Ronaldo leads the race, Lionel Messi continues to apply pressure from Inter Miami. The Argentine icon currently owns 921 official career goals, meaning he requires 79 more to join the exclusive four-digit club. Messi’s season is already underway in Major League Soccer, giving him additional opportunities to reduce Ronaldo’s advantage before Al-Nassr begins its Saudi Pro League campaign on August 15. Every appearance gives the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner another chance to edge closer to the historic landmark. His résumé remains unmatched in many areas of the game, featuring eight Ballon d’Or awards, four Champions League crowns, ten La Liga titles, two Copa América triumphs, and two FIFA World Cup victories. Lionel Messi #10 of Inter Miami CF lifts the Champion’s trophy after winning the Audi 2025 MLS Cup Final Lewandowski continues remarkable scoring form Robert Lewandowski also remains firmly in the conversation despite sitting further behind the two long-time rivals. The Polish striker has reached 728 official career goals and recently enjoyed an impressive start to life with Charlotte, scoring twice in his MLS debut. The veteran forward has built his reputation through relentless consistency rather than spectacular moments alone. His scoring record across Germany, Spain, and now North America demonstrates why he remains one of soccer’s greatest finishers. Lewandowski’s honors include ten Bundesliga titles, one Champions League trophy, multiple European Golden Shoes, two La Liga championships, and two FIFA Best Men’s Player awards. Suarez still finding the net Luis Suarez may be approaching the closing stages of his career, but the Uruguayan striker continues to prove he remains a dangerous finisher. He currently owns 600 official career goals after recently adding another for Inter Miami. Playing alongside Messi once again has allowed Suarez to continue contributing at the highest level in North America. While the 1,000-goal target appears far more distant for him, his longevity continues to impress. His career in
While Lionel Messi remains among the world's highest earners, the newest rankings reveal that the Portuguese icon has stretched his advantage, highlighting the growing financial influence of Saudi Arabian soccer. Cristiano Ronaldo continues to dominate the financial landscape, with the latest global salary figures placing him comfortably ahead of the sport’s biggest stars. While Lionel Messi remains among the world’s highest earners, the newest rankings reveal that the Portuguese icon has stretched his advantage, highlighting the growing financial influence of Saudi Arabian soccer. The latest data also underlines how dramatically the sport’s salary landscape has evolved in recent years. Players representing the Saudi Pro League now occupy several places among the world’s best-paid players, while stars from Europe’s biggest leagues continue to feature prominently. According to salary figures compiled by Capology, via Planet Football, Cristiano Ronaldo earns an estimated £3.42 million per week in base salary at Al-Nassr, keeping him at the top of world soccer’s wage rankings. The report states: “Cristiano Ronaldo still ranks as the highest-paid player in the Saudi Pro League and world football, earning a whopping £3.4 million per week with Al-Nassr.” Cristiano Ronaldo of Al Nassr celebrates with the Saudi Pro League Trophy. Those figures are based solely on base wages and do not include bonuses, image rights, signing fees or commercial endorsements, meaning Ronaldo’s overall annual earnings are significantly higher. Messi returns to the rankings The latest list also marks Lionel Messi’s return to the global weekly salary rankings following his move to Inter Miami. Messi is ranked 13th with an estimated weekly base salary of £360,876, leaving a remarkable financial distance between the longtime rivals. While both remain among soccer’s biggest global icons, the latest figures illustrate how Ronaldo’s Saudi contract has transformed the earnings race. The comparison also reflects the different career paths taken by the two superstars during the latter stages of their playing careers, with Ronaldo moving to Saudi Arabia while Messi chose Major League Soccer. Lionel Messi #10 of Inter Miami CF lifts the Champion’s trophy after winning the Audi 2025 MLS Cup Final Saudi Arabia dominates the highest earners One of the biggest takeaways from the rankings is the growing financial strength of the Saudi Pro League. Six Saudi Pro League players appear among the world’s 15 highest-paid players, confirming the league’s ability to attract elite talent through record-breaking contracts. Karim Benzema sits second after Ronaldo with an estimated £2.01 million per week, while Sadio Mane, Kalidou Koulibaly, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, Ivan Toney and Ruben Neves also feature on the list. Their presence reflects Saudi Arabia’s continued investment in world-class soccer with clubs competing for domestic and continental success. Cristiano Ronaldo (L) of Al Nassr and Karim Benzema (R) of Al Hilal. Top 15 highest-paid players by weekly base salary Cristiano Ronaldo — £3,421,039Karim Benzema — £2,010,107Sadio Mané — £656,629Kalidou Koulibaly — £569,626Erling Haaland — £525,000Kylian Mbappé — £512,992Sergej Milinković-Savić — £418,765Ivan Toney — £418,765Vinícius Júnior — £410,393Harry Kane — £410,393Jamal Musiala — £374,771Darwin Núñez — £368,533Lionel Messi — £360,876Virgil van Dijk — £350,000Rúben Neves — £343,417
Cristiano Ronaldo will once again be missing when Al-Nassr takes on Almeria in a preseason friendly, leaving supporters wondering why the Portuguese superstar has yet to return to action. Cristiano Ronaldo will once again be missing when Al-Nassr takes on Almeria in a preseason friendly, leaving supporters wondering why the Portuguese superstar has yet to return to action. The fixture carries added intrigue because of Ronaldo’s unique connection to the Spanish club, making his absence even more noticeable ahead of one of the final warm-up matches before the new campaign. The friendly, scheduled at the Cidade do Futebol in Oeiras, Portugal, is expected to provide another important test for both clubs. While Al-Nassr continues preparing under new head coach Ange Postecoglou, Almeria is using the occasion to sharpen its squad ahead of the new Segunda Division season. Almeria heads into the match after gradually building rhythm during preseason under new manager Xavier Garcia Pimienta. Friendlies against Aguilas, Granada, and Real Betis have helped the Spanish side improve fitness levels while allowing the coaching staff to implement a possession-based style of play. Monday’s preparations included another double training session, with recent signing Mikel Vesga fully integrated into the squad. Garcia Pimienta has continued emphasizing collective movement and ball retention as the foundations of his football philosophy. ⚽️ ¡Hoy tenemos un gran partido de pretemporada! 🤩🆚 @AlNassrFC.⌚️ 19:00 h. 🇪🇸📍🇵🇹 Cidade do Futebol.📺 Streaming en nuestro perfil de X. 🤝 Partido patrocinado por @Alawalyre.#PretemporadaUDA pic.twitter.com/c45iiRgZbn— UD Almería (@U_D_Almeria) August 4, 2026 On the opposite side, Al-Nassr is also entering the closing stages of its Portuguese training camp. The Saudi champion has produced mixed results so far, losing to Benfica B before defeating Merida and then suffering a 4-2 defeat against Estrela Amadora. Why Ronaldo is missing the match Cristiano Ronaldo will not feature against Almeria because he is still enjoying an extended recovery period following Portugal’s participation in the 2026 World Cup. According to multiple reports, the decision has nothing to do with injury or fitness concerns. Instead, Al-Nassr has granted its captain additional time off before the demanding 2026-27 season begins. Reports indicate Ronaldo will only return after Al-Nassr completes its preseason camp in Portugal. The Lisbon camp concludes on August 5, after which the squad will travel back to Riyadh before making final preparations for the Saudi Pro League opener against Al-Fateh on August 15. That timeline would leave Ronaldo with roughly one week of full training before the competitive campaign begins. View this post on Instagram Ronaldo still expected to be involved Although he will not appear on the pitch, Ronaldo is reportedly expected to attend the match from the VIP section. Spanish newspaper Marca reports suggest the Portuguese icon will watch alongside businessman Mohammed Al-Khereiji, one of his closest business partners. His presence would allow him to support Al-Nassr while also acknowledging another important part of his soccer career away from playing. The visit has also fueled optimism that Ronaldo’s return to team training is drawing closer after several weeks away from the squad. This preseason friendly carries additional significance because the 41-year-old superstar became a part-owner of Almeria earlier this year. In February 2026, the Portuguese legend reportedly acquired a 25 percent ownership stake in the Spanish club through CR7 Sports Investments, partnering with Almeria owner Mohammed Al-Khereiji.
While supporters were eager to see the Portuguese icon back on the field, fresh reports have explained why the veteran remains unavailable. Cristiano Ronaldo will not feature when Al-Nassr faces Estrela Amadora in Portugal, with the Saudi champion continuing its preseason preparations under Ange Postecoglou. While supporters were eager to see the Portuguese icon back on the field, fresh reports have explained why the veteran remains unavailable. The absence has generated plenty of discussion because Cristiano Ronaldo has yet to appear in any of Al-Nassr’s preseason fixtures, even as several of his teammates have already returned from international duty. Instead, the club has chosen to move forward with its Portugal training camp while waiting for its captain to rejoin the squad at a later date. So far, Al-Nassr has experienced mixed preseason results. The Saudi Pro League winner lost 2-1 to Benfica B before bouncing back with a 2-0 victory over Spanish side Merida, with further matches against Estrela Amadora and Almeria still scheduled. However, for Estrela Amadora, the match carries significance beyond being another preseason fixture. The Portuguese club is using the game as its official presentation for the 2026-27 campaign, allowing fans to see the squad before the Primeira Liga season begins. The match also launches the inaugural Trofeu Cidade da Amadora, making it an important event for the home club. Troféu 𝐂𝐈𝐃𝐀𝐃𝐄 𝐃𝐀 𝐀𝐌𝐀𝐃𝐎𝐑𝐀 🆚 AL Nassr pic.twitter.com/uIuacsjcMr— CF Estrela da Amadora (@estrelamadora) August 1, 2026 Estrela itself has an interesting modern history. After the original club entered bankruptcy in 2011, it was re-established in 2020 through a merger, allowing soccer in Amadora to continue at the professional level. The reason why Ronaldo is missing The Portuguese forward is still enjoying his scheduled break following the 2026 World Cup and is not expected to return until after Al-Nassr completes its preseason camp in Lisbon. According to multiple reports, including Saudi journalist Rtiban Al-Dosari, the 41-year-old will not join the squad in Portugal and is instead expected to report once the team returns to Riyadh. Al-Nassr’s overseas camp concludes on August 5, after which the players will receive a short break before final preparations begin for the new Saudi Pro League season. That schedule means Ronaldo is likely to have around one week of full training before the team opens its league title defense against Al-Fateh on August 15. Inigo Martinez and Cristiano Ronaldo in training Ronaldo’s delayed return opens door for Felix Away from soccer, Ronaldo has spent the past several weeks relaxing with his family after the World Cup. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner recently shared vacation photos from Mallorca alongside his son, Cristiano Jr., with one Instagram caption simply reading: “Not yet.” View this post on Instagram The family holiday came after Portugal’s Round of 16 elimination against Spain, a tournament that marked the end of Ronaldo’s World Cup career. Following such an emotional conclusion, both the player and the club appear comfortable allowing additional recovery time before he returns to club duties. With Ronaldo unavailable, his compatriot Joao Felix becomes one of the main attractions for the Knight of Najd. The Portugal international has already spent valuable time adapting to Postecoglou’s tactical ideas and is expected to play a major creative role during the friendly.
Since leaving Europe, both stars have signed career-defining contracts with new clubs, creating an astonishing earnings gap that has sparked fresh debate about how each legend has approached the final stage of his career. Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have spent nearly two decades competing for soccer’s biggest prizes, and that rivalry now extends to their financial success as well. Since leaving Europe, both stars have signed career-defining contracts with new clubs, creating an astonishing earnings gap that has sparked fresh debate about how each legend has approached the final stage of his career. The numbers appear overwhelming at first glance, but they only tell part of the story. While Ronaldo’s move to Saudi Arabia has generated unprecedented soccer wages, Messi’s agreement in the United States follows a very different model that could reshape his wealth for years after retirement. Cristiano Ronaldo’s arrival at Al-Nassr at the beginning of 2023 transformed far more than one club. His transfer became the catalyst for Saudi Arabia’s soccer project, attracting global attention and encouraging several elite players to join the Saudi Pro League. Since then, stars including Karim Benzema, Neymar, N’Golo Kante, and Sadio Mane have followed similar paths, strengthening the league’s international profile. The Portuguese veteran has frequently argued that the Saudi Pro League is growing rapidly and has the potential to compete with many of the world’s strongest competitions. His influence has also extended beyond the pitch through television audiences, sponsorship opportunities and worldwide commercial interest. Cristiano Ronaldo of Al Nassr lifts the Saudi Pro League Trophy The earnings gap finally becomes clear Reports indicate Cristiano Ronaldo has earned approximately $675 million to $730 million from Al-Nassr since 2023, while Lionel Messi has accumulated an estimated $210 million to $240 million from Inter Miami during the same period. That creates a difference of roughly $435 million in direct club earnings between soccer’s two greatest modern icons. According to Spanish newspaper Marca, Ronaldo’s income has been built through a combination of guaranteed salary and performance bonuses. The reported figures include approximately $695 million in base salary, plus additional rewards for goals, assists, Golden Boot victories and winning the Saudi Pro League title. Overall, his estimated total reaches about $730 million during his first three and a half seasons in Saudi Arabia. The catch behind the numbers The enormous difference comes with an important detail. Ronaldo’s advantage exists primarily because his contract focuses on immediate guaranteed salary, while Messi’s agreement includes substantial long-term commercial partnerships and future business opportunities rather than matching Saudi Arabia’s record-breaking wages. Lionel Messi #10 of Inter Miami CF lifts the Champion’s trophy after winning the Audi 2025 MLS Cup Final Inter Miami and Major League Soccer designed a package unlike any previous soccer contract. Instead of competing solely with annual salary, the agreement includes revenue-sharing arrangements with Apple through MLS Season Pass subscriptions, merchandise partnerships with Adidas and Fanatics, plus an option to acquire an ownership stake in Inter Miami after retirement. Those benefits are difficult to calculate today because their value could continue increasing for many years. Messi chose different business strategy When Lionel Messi joined Inter Miami, many expected him to receive one of soccer’s richest contracts. Instead, the Argentine accepted a base salary of approximately $25 million, with total guaranteed compensation rising above $28 million, making him the highest-paid player in MLS history. However, the real value of his agreement lies elsewhere. According to financial reports, Messi receives a share of revenue generated by new Apple TV MLS Season Pass subscriptions, while also benefiting
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