Al Salmiyah defeated Al Qadsia 3-0 in Premier League. The fixture is part of the Regular Season - 15 stage in the 2019 season. The match was played at Thamir Stadium in Kuwait City. The full-time result capped a Al Salmiyah vs Al Qadsia meeting in Premier League 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 Salmiyah and Al Qadsia. On Sportra you can view xG, lineups, match statistics, events, player ratings, predictions, head-to-head history, and related news for this fixture.
Premier LeagueRecorded meetings: 11 (available previous meetings, not necessarily all-time).
Al Salmiyah defeated Al Qadsia 3-0 in Premier League. The fixture is part of the Regular Season - 15 stage in the 2019 season. The match was played at Thamir Stadium in Kuwait City. The full-time result capped a Al Salmiyah vs Al Qadsia meeting in Premier League 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 Salmiyah and Al Qadsia. On Sportra you can view xG, lineups, match statistics, events, player ratings, predictions, head-to-head history, and related news for this fixture.
Premier LeagueRecorded meetings: 11 (available previous meetings, not necessarily all-time).
On the latest episode of BBC CWR's Sky Blues Fancast, fans Adam Sloman and Moz Baker reflect on the permanent signing of Frank Onyeka from Brentford and the news Coventry are set to appoint Rangers' Sal Bibbo as their new goalkeeping coach. The former Arsenal goalkeeping coach will join Frank Lampard's staff as the Sky Blues prepare for their Premier League return.
Barcelona could receive an unexpected financial boost this summer thanks to a player who no longer belongs to the club.According to Mundo Deportivo, Bayern Munich are exploring the possibility of sign...
Egypt have unveiled a 27-man provisional roster for the 2026 World Cup, headlined by Premier League stars Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush. With the 2026 World Cup rapidly approaching, Egypt have submitted their 27-man squad list, led by standout Premier League stars Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush. Before the tournament officially kicks off, head coach Hossam Hassan will need to cut one player to finalize the definitive 26-man roster required by FIFA. The Liverpool talisman, who recently said goodbye to Anfield at the end of the season after opting not to renew his contract, will be competing in his second World Cup with the Pharaohs, having previously featured at Russia 2018. During that 2018 tournament, the forward arrived carrying a severe shoulder injury sustained in the UEFA Champions League final, where Liverpool fell to Real Madrid. Despite being physically compromised, Salah still managed to score two goals in his two appearances, though Egypt was ultimately eliminated in the group stage without securing a single point. Joining Egypt’s second all-time leading scorer in attack is Manchester City’s Marmoush, alongside the squad’s biggest surprise selection: 18-year-old wonderkid Hamza Abdelkarim, who has been turning heads in Barcelona’s youth ranks. The Pharaohs’ squad list for the World Cup 2026 🇪🇬🏆#egyptnt#FIFAWORLDCUP pic.twitter.com/80YjkoVFUY— Egypt National Team (@EgyptNT_EN) May 20, 2026 Egypt’s group stage schedule Egypt have been drawn into Group G alongside Belgium, Iran, and New Zealand. The Pharaohs will make their tournament debut on June 15 against Belgium at Lumen Field in Seattle. They will then travel to Vancouver to face New Zealand on June 21 at BC Place, before wrapping up the group stage against Iran on June 27, returning to Lumen Field. Egypt’s 27-man roster Goalkeepers Mohamed El ShennawyMostafa ShobeirEl Mahdy SolimanMohamed Alaa Defenders Mohamed HanyTarek AlaaHamdi FathiRamy RabiaYasser IbrahimHoussam AbdelmaguidMohamed AbdelmonemAhmed FattouhKarim Hafez Midfielders Marwan AttiaMohannad LasheenNabil Emad DungaMahmoud SaberAhmed Sayed ZizoMahmoud TrezeguetEmam AshourMostafa ZikoIbrahim AdelHaissem HassanMohamed Salah Forwards Omar MarmoushAktay AbdullahHamza Abdelkarim
Ivan Toney and Julian Quinones reached a historic scoring milestone in the Saudi Pro League, surpassing Cristiano Ronaldo in the process. Cristiano Ronaldo is on the verge of winning his first Saudi Pro League title since joining Al Nassr during the 2022-23 season. However, he has been overshadowed by Ivan Toney and Julian Quinones, who achieved a historic scoring record. “For the first time in RSL history, two players hit the 30+ goal mark in the same season,” the Saudi Pro League announced Thursday through a social media post alongside photos of Toney and Quinones. The English striker remains at the top of the league scoring chart thanks to the 31 goals he has scored for Al Ahli, an impressive achievement considering he has played only 30 matches. He crossed the 30-goal mark last week with a hat trick against Al Fateh before adding another goal Monday against Al Taawoun. Quinones, meanwhile, sits second in the rankings with 30 goals. He reached that total on Thursday after scoring Al Qadsiah’s opener in a 2-0 win over Al Hazem. The Colombia-born player, who represents Mexico internationally, has maintained a perfect ratio this season with the same number of goals as matches played. For the first time in RSL history, two players hit the 30+ goal mark in the same season 🔥Ivan Toney 🏴Julian Quinones 🇲🇽 pic.twitter.com/wJc1rWCPLX— Roshn Saudi League (@SPL_EN) May 14, 2026 Cristiano Ronaldo falls behind In the 2025-26 Saudi Pro League scoring standings, Cristiano Ronaldo sits in third place behind only Ivan Toney and Julian Quinones. With Al Nassr, the Portuguese star has recorded 26 goals in 29 matches, highlighting his enormous impact on a team that is one step away from winning the title. It is worth noting that Ronaldo missed four Al Nassr matches during this Saudi Pro League season. Two of those absences came in February, while the other two occurred in March because of a hamstring injury that also kept him out during the FIFA international break with Portugal. Those missed matches proved decisive in the race to finish as the league’s top scorer. Has Cristiano Ronaldo ever reached 30 goals in the Saudi Pro League? The Saudi Pro League highlighted Ivan Toney and Julian Quinones on Thursday because it marked the first time that two players have surpassed the 30-goal mark in the same season. However, there have been previous cases of players individually reaching that milestone, and Cristiano Ronaldo is obviously one of them. The Portuguese forward delivered his best Saudi Pro League campaign during the 2023-24 season, when he scored 35 goals in 31 matches. That remains the only time he has crossed the 30-goal barrier. His first appearance in the league came during the 2022-23 campaign, when he arrived midway through the season and still managed to score 14 goals. In 2024-25, Ronaldo had what has so far been his least productive season, recording 25 goals in 30 matches.
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.
The Portuguese icon continues to lead Al-Nassr through a tense title race, yet beneath the surface, a rare and uncomfortable milestone has quietly emerged. There are nights when even the most dominant careers take an unexpected turn, and this latest chapter involving Cristiano Ronaldo has added a surprising twist. The Portuguese icon continues to lead Al-Nassr through a tense title race, yet beneath the surface, a rare and uncomfortable milestone has quietly emerged. For much of the campaign, Al-Nassr appeared to have everything under control. A long winning run of 20 matches and a commanding lead had positioned it as the clear favorite for the Saudi Pro League title, with consistency becoming its defining trait. That sense of stability was shaken by a 3-1 defeat to Al-Qadsiah, a result that shifted the momentum of the race. The loss not only ended an impressive streak but also allowed rivals to close the gap, turning what once felt secure into a genuine battle. Ronaldo came close to changing the narrative during the match, striking the crossbar with a curling effort. Instead, the night belonged to the hosts, who capitalized on defensive lapses to secure a decisive victory. The consequences of that result have reshaped the title picture. Al-Nassr’s lead has narrowed, with Al-Hilal now firmly back in contention, holding both momentum and a crucial game in hand. A potential title-deciding clash between the two sides looms large, with May 12 circled as a defining moment. If current results hold, the gap could shrink to just a couple of points, turning that encounter into a high-stakes showdown. Beyond the league, Al-Nassr also has another opportunity for silverware on the horizon. An upcoming AFC Champions League 2 final offers a second route to success, but balancing both competitions only adds to the intensity of the run-in. Ronaldo’s unexpected statistical setback The defeat carried an additional layer of significance for Cristiano Ronaldo. It has confirmed an unusual statistic in Ronaldo’s career, one that stands out given his extraordinary record across decades. The 41-year-old is now winless in four matches against Al-Qadsiah, making it the longest winless streak he has ever had against a single club in his senior career. In a journey filled with victories against the world’s biggest teams, this particular matchup has become a rare exception. فارس الشرقية يتصدى لمحاولات الدون 🏰🚫نادي القادسية هو الخصم الأكثر استعصاءً على كريستيانو رونالدو في مسيرته بأكملها، بـ 4 مواجهات دون تحقيق أي انتصار للدون 🤯❌#القادسية #كريستيانو_رونالدو #365Data pic.twitter.com/5QNZer9IgB— 365Scores Arabic (@365scoresarabic) May 4, 2026 What makes the statistic notable is not just the number itself, but the consistency of the results. Across multiple meetings, Al-Nassr have been unable to secure a win, with Al-Qadsiah repeatedly finding ways to frustrate one of the world’s most decorated players. The numbers underline just how unusual this situation is. Across hundreds of opponents, very few have managed to consistently deny the Portuguese superstar’s success, making this streak a genuine anomaly in his career. Cristiano Ronaldo of Al Nassr reacts Ronaldo’s other winless streaks Ronaldo’s other notable winless streaks against individual clubs are shorter than the current 4 consecutive losses to Al Qadsiah. Most other difficult opponents involve 1-2 matches, often from his early Sporting Lisbon days or cup ties: Young Boys (Switzerland): 0 wins in 2 matches (both 2-1 losses with Juventus in the 2018-19 Champions League). Ronaldo contributed goals/assists but still lost both.Leiria (Portugal): 0 wins in 2 matches (1 draw, 1 loss) during his Sporting Lisbon days in 2002-03.Partizan (Serbia): 0 wins in 2 matches (1 draw, 1 loss) in 2002-03 UEFA Cup with Sporting.Gil Vicente (Portugal): 0 wins in 2 matches (both losses, combined 4-0) with Sporting in 2002–03.
Cristiano Ronaldo felt the absence of Sadio Mane in Al Nassr’s recent defeat, and head coach Jorge Jesus later revealed the reason behind the winger's exclusion from the lineup. Cristiano Ronaldo was in the lineup as Al Nassr saw their historic winning streak snapped against Al Qadsiah, a match in which star winger Sadio Mane was a notable scratch. Following the loss, head coach Jorge Jesus detailed the reasons behind the star’s sudden absence from Sunday’s contest. Despite traveling with the squad to Dammam’s Prince Saud Bin Jalawi Stadium, Mane was dropped from the roster due to a last-minute complication. The move forced Jesus to shuffle his attacking line, deploying Angelo on the left wing. However, both Angelo and Kingsley Coman failed to make an impact out wide, struggling to provide service to Ronaldo in the center forward position. The gamble ultimately did not pay off; Angelo was often forced into defensive areas with far less influence than his Senegalese counterpart and was eventually substituted due to injury in the 76th minute. Al Nassr insider Ali Alabdallh later reported that Mane felt a localized pain that prevented him from taking the pitch against Al Qadsiah. When asked for specifics during the post-match press conference, Jesus provided insight into his selection process: “I chose not to include Mane in the squad. He’s one of the players in Al Nassr that has played the most matches, and was also one of the players attacked on the weekend caught by the flu upon returning from a team trip, and had some difficulties.“ «اليوم قررت عدم إشراك ماني، في نهاية الأسبوع الماضي هو من بين اللاعبين الذين تعرضوا لإنفلونزا ولعب رغم الصعوبات الكبيرة.» 🟡جورجي جيسوس، مدرب @AlNassrFC، يجيب على سؤال صحفي «ثمانية» نواف العقيّل @nawaf__oga في المؤتمر الصحفي بعد مواجهة #القادسية_النصر 🎙️… pic.twitter.com/82GO1Q661Y— رياضة ثمانية (@thmanyahsports) May 4, 2026 While the bold decision to rest the winger coincided with the end of the club’s 20-game winning streak, Jorge Jesus stood by his move. “I looked for a fresher player down the left, so I took the decision for Mane to not play. We’ve already rested several players, including Cristiano Ronaldo and Joao Felix,” the Portuguese boss concluded. Mane: Al Nassr’s talisman in the 2025-26 season In terms of pure minutes for Al Nassr, Cristiano Ronaldo ranks 7th (2,814′) and has seen significantly more club action than Mane, who sits in 11th (2,360′), according to Transfermarkt. However, the 646 minutes Mane logged for Senegal during the mid-season AFCON have made him one of the most-used players in the world this season. When he is available, he has proven to be a lucky charm for the Saudi side. To date, Mane has appeared in 32 matches for Al Nassr across all competitions, tallying 13 goals and eight assists. While his raw stats may trail those of Ronaldo, Felix, or Coman, the team’s success rate with him is undeniable: Al Nassr has won 31 of the 32 games Mane has played. Without him, the club has struggled through 13 matches with a record of seven wins, one draw, and five defeats. Simakan and Angelo under the spotlight Following Sunday’s loss, Jorge Jesus granted the squad a rest day to recover from a dense schedule involving the AFC Champions League Two and the Saudi Pro League. As the team prepares to return to training on Tuesday, the health of Mohamed Simakan and Angelo will be the primary focus. According to Al Arriyadiyah, the medical staff will brief the technical team on the results of examinations for both players before training begins. Simakan and Angelo both sustained injuries during Sunday’s match; while Simakan managed to play until the final whistle, Angelo was forced off early. Their recovery will be critical as Al Nassr enters the final stretch of the title race.
Al Nassr took the lead against Al Ahli in the Saudi Pro League thanks to a goal from Cristiano Ronaldo. Al Nassr faced one of their toughest tests in the final stretch of the Saudi Pro League on Wednesday, going up against another of the country’s top teams in Al Ahli. However, Cristiano Ronaldo broke the deadlock with a precise header. For 76 minutes, the match had been tight and difficult for both sides. Each team’s defensive structure neutralized the attacking talent on the field, and clear scoring chances were few and far between. Ronaldo had a golden opportunity in the first half, when a through ball put him one-on-one with goalkeeper Edouard Mendy. However, as he tried to get past the opponent, the forward lost his angle and ended up delivering an off-target cross. In the second half, CR7 got his chance and made it count, scoring the opener with a well-placed header following a corner kick taken by Joao Felix. The goal gave Al Nassr the composure to control the tempo in the closing stages, with the pressure now shifting onto the visitors. That was Cristiano’s 99th Saudi Pro League goal.pic.twitter.com/gVQf8FNjOj— Al Nassr Zone (@TheNassrZone) April 29, 2026 With that scenario unfolding, Jorge Jesus’ side showed their quality and sealed the result in the final stretch of the match. Following a corner kick, Kingsley Coman collected the ball inside the box and scored the second goal with a powerful right-footed strike. Al Nassr are closing in on the title With Wednesday’s 2-0 win over Al Ahli, Al Nassr took a major step in their pursuit of the Saudi Pro League title. They now sit top of the standings with 79 points, eight ahead of Al Hilal, who have a game in hand. That means that, even in the worst-case scenario, the gap between the two sides would be five points. With only four matches remaining in the season, Al Nassr’s chances of securing the title are extremely high. Still, they cannot afford to relax, as one of those final four fixtures will be against Al Hilal, where that advantage will be directly on the line. Ronaldo closes in on 1,000 goals The goal against Al Ahli brought Cristiano Ronaldo even closer to the 1,000-goal milestone in his professional career. He now has 970, leaving him just 30 goals short of a mark no other player has ever reached in the history of soccer. Additionally, in the Saudi Pro League scoring chart, the Portuguese forward remains firmly in the race despite having missed a month of action due to a muscle injury. With 25 goals, Ronaldo currently sits third, two behind Al Ahli’s Ivan Toney and three behind the leader, Al Qadsiah’s Julian Quinones.
Tap a headline to view metadata and excerpt fields in Sportra, then use the article website button to continue on the original publisher page.
On the latest episode of BBC CWR's Sky Blues Fancast, fans Adam Sloman and Moz Baker reflect on the permanent signing of Frank Onyeka from Brentford and the news Coventry are set to appoint Rangers' Sal Bibbo as their new goalkeeping coach. The former Arsenal goalkeeping coach will join Frank Lampard's staff as the Sky Blues prepare for their Premier League return.
Barcelona could receive an unexpected financial boost this summer thanks to a player who no longer belongs to the club.According to Mundo Deportivo, Bayern Munich are exploring the possibility of sign...
Egypt have unveiled a 27-man provisional roster for the 2026 World Cup, headlined by Premier League stars Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush. With the 2026 World Cup rapidly approaching, Egypt have submitted their 27-man squad list, led by standout Premier League stars Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush. Before the tournament officially kicks off, head coach Hossam Hassan will need to cut one player to finalize the definitive 26-man roster required by FIFA. The Liverpool talisman, who recently said goodbye to Anfield at the end of the season after opting not to renew his contract, will be competing in his second World Cup with the Pharaohs, having previously featured at Russia 2018. During that 2018 tournament, the forward arrived carrying a severe shoulder injury sustained in the UEFA Champions League final, where Liverpool fell to Real Madrid. Despite being physically compromised, Salah still managed to score two goals in his two appearances, though Egypt was ultimately eliminated in the group stage without securing a single point. Joining Egypt’s second all-time leading scorer in attack is Manchester City’s Marmoush, alongside the squad’s biggest surprise selection: 18-year-old wonderkid Hamza Abdelkarim, who has been turning heads in Barcelona’s youth ranks. The Pharaohs’ squad list for the World Cup 2026 🇪🇬🏆#egyptnt#FIFAWORLDCUP pic.twitter.com/80YjkoVFUY— Egypt National Team (@EgyptNT_EN) May 20, 2026 Egypt’s group stage schedule Egypt have been drawn into Group G alongside Belgium, Iran, and New Zealand. The Pharaohs will make their tournament debut on June 15 against Belgium at Lumen Field in Seattle. They will then travel to Vancouver to face New Zealand on June 21 at BC Place, before wrapping up the group stage against Iran on June 27, returning to Lumen Field. Egypt’s 27-man roster Goalkeepers Mohamed El ShennawyMostafa ShobeirEl Mahdy SolimanMohamed Alaa Defenders Mohamed HanyTarek AlaaHamdi FathiRamy RabiaYasser IbrahimHoussam AbdelmaguidMohamed AbdelmonemAhmed FattouhKarim Hafez Midfielders Marwan AttiaMohannad LasheenNabil Emad DungaMahmoud SaberAhmed Sayed ZizoMahmoud TrezeguetEmam AshourMostafa ZikoIbrahim AdelHaissem HassanMohamed Salah Forwards Omar MarmoushAktay AbdullahHamza Abdelkarim
Ivan Toney and Julian Quinones reached a historic scoring milestone in the Saudi Pro League, surpassing Cristiano Ronaldo in the process. Cristiano Ronaldo is on the verge of winning his first Saudi Pro League title since joining Al Nassr during the 2022-23 season. However, he has been overshadowed by Ivan Toney and Julian Quinones, who achieved a historic scoring record. “For the first time in RSL history, two players hit the 30+ goal mark in the same season,” the Saudi Pro League announced Thursday through a social media post alongside photos of Toney and Quinones. The English striker remains at the top of the league scoring chart thanks to the 31 goals he has scored for Al Ahli, an impressive achievement considering he has played only 30 matches. He crossed the 30-goal mark last week with a hat trick against Al Fateh before adding another goal Monday against Al Taawoun. Quinones, meanwhile, sits second in the rankings with 30 goals. He reached that total on Thursday after scoring Al Qadsiah’s opener in a 2-0 win over Al Hazem. The Colombia-born player, who represents Mexico internationally, has maintained a perfect ratio this season with the same number of goals as matches played. For the first time in RSL history, two players hit the 30+ goal mark in the same season 🔥Ivan Toney 🏴Julian Quinones 🇲🇽 pic.twitter.com/wJc1rWCPLX— Roshn Saudi League (@SPL_EN) May 14, 2026 Cristiano Ronaldo falls behind In the 2025-26 Saudi Pro League scoring standings, Cristiano Ronaldo sits in third place behind only Ivan Toney and Julian Quinones. With Al Nassr, the Portuguese star has recorded 26 goals in 29 matches, highlighting his enormous impact on a team that is one step away from winning the title. It is worth noting that Ronaldo missed four Al Nassr matches during this Saudi Pro League season. Two of those absences came in February, while the other two occurred in March because of a hamstring injury that also kept him out during the FIFA international break with Portugal. Those missed matches proved decisive in the race to finish as the league’s top scorer. Has Cristiano Ronaldo ever reached 30 goals in the Saudi Pro League? The Saudi Pro League highlighted Ivan Toney and Julian Quinones on Thursday because it marked the first time that two players have surpassed the 30-goal mark in the same season. However, there have been previous cases of players individually reaching that milestone, and Cristiano Ronaldo is obviously one of them. The Portuguese forward delivered his best Saudi Pro League campaign during the 2023-24 season, when he scored 35 goals in 31 matches. That remains the only time he has crossed the 30-goal barrier. His first appearance in the league came during the 2022-23 campaign, when he arrived midway through the season and still managed to score 14 goals. In 2024-25, Ronaldo had what has so far been his least productive season, recording 25 goals in 30 matches.
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.
The Portuguese icon continues to lead Al-Nassr through a tense title race, yet beneath the surface, a rare and uncomfortable milestone has quietly emerged. There are nights when even the most dominant careers take an unexpected turn, and this latest chapter involving Cristiano Ronaldo has added a surprising twist. The Portuguese icon continues to lead Al-Nassr through a tense title race, yet beneath the surface, a rare and uncomfortable milestone has quietly emerged. For much of the campaign, Al-Nassr appeared to have everything under control. A long winning run of 20 matches and a commanding lead had positioned it as the clear favorite for the Saudi Pro League title, with consistency becoming its defining trait. That sense of stability was shaken by a 3-1 defeat to Al-Qadsiah, a result that shifted the momentum of the race. The loss not only ended an impressive streak but also allowed rivals to close the gap, turning what once felt secure into a genuine battle. Ronaldo came close to changing the narrative during the match, striking the crossbar with a curling effort. Instead, the night belonged to the hosts, who capitalized on defensive lapses to secure a decisive victory. The consequences of that result have reshaped the title picture. Al-Nassr’s lead has narrowed, with Al-Hilal now firmly back in contention, holding both momentum and a crucial game in hand. A potential title-deciding clash between the two sides looms large, with May 12 circled as a defining moment. If current results hold, the gap could shrink to just a couple of points, turning that encounter into a high-stakes showdown. Beyond the league, Al-Nassr also has another opportunity for silverware on the horizon. An upcoming AFC Champions League 2 final offers a second route to success, but balancing both competitions only adds to the intensity of the run-in. Ronaldo’s unexpected statistical setback The defeat carried an additional layer of significance for Cristiano Ronaldo. It has confirmed an unusual statistic in Ronaldo’s career, one that stands out given his extraordinary record across decades. The 41-year-old is now winless in four matches against Al-Qadsiah, making it the longest winless streak he has ever had against a single club in his senior career. In a journey filled with victories against the world’s biggest teams, this particular matchup has become a rare exception. فارس الشرقية يتصدى لمحاولات الدون 🏰🚫نادي القادسية هو الخصم الأكثر استعصاءً على كريستيانو رونالدو في مسيرته بأكملها، بـ 4 مواجهات دون تحقيق أي انتصار للدون 🤯❌#القادسية #كريستيانو_رونالدو #365Data pic.twitter.com/5QNZer9IgB— 365Scores Arabic (@365scoresarabic) May 4, 2026 What makes the statistic notable is not just the number itself, but the consistency of the results. Across multiple meetings, Al-Nassr have been unable to secure a win, with Al-Qadsiah repeatedly finding ways to frustrate one of the world’s most decorated players. The numbers underline just how unusual this situation is. Across hundreds of opponents, very few have managed to consistently deny the Portuguese superstar’s success, making this streak a genuine anomaly in his career. Cristiano Ronaldo of Al Nassr reacts Ronaldo’s other winless streaks Ronaldo’s other notable winless streaks against individual clubs are shorter than the current 4 consecutive losses to Al Qadsiah. Most other difficult opponents involve 1-2 matches, often from his early Sporting Lisbon days or cup ties: Young Boys (Switzerland): 0 wins in 2 matches (both 2-1 losses with Juventus in the 2018-19 Champions League). Ronaldo contributed goals/assists but still lost both.Leiria (Portugal): 0 wins in 2 matches (1 draw, 1 loss) during his Sporting Lisbon days in 2002-03.Partizan (Serbia): 0 wins in 2 matches (1 draw, 1 loss) in 2002-03 UEFA Cup with Sporting.Gil Vicente (Portugal): 0 wins in 2 matches (both losses, combined 4-0) with Sporting in 2002–03.
Cristiano Ronaldo felt the absence of Sadio Mane in Al Nassr’s recent defeat, and head coach Jorge Jesus later revealed the reason behind the winger's exclusion from the lineup. Cristiano Ronaldo was in the lineup as Al Nassr saw their historic winning streak snapped against Al Qadsiah, a match in which star winger Sadio Mane was a notable scratch. Following the loss, head coach Jorge Jesus detailed the reasons behind the star’s sudden absence from Sunday’s contest. Despite traveling with the squad to Dammam’s Prince Saud Bin Jalawi Stadium, Mane was dropped from the roster due to a last-minute complication. The move forced Jesus to shuffle his attacking line, deploying Angelo on the left wing. However, both Angelo and Kingsley Coman failed to make an impact out wide, struggling to provide service to Ronaldo in the center forward position. The gamble ultimately did not pay off; Angelo was often forced into defensive areas with far less influence than his Senegalese counterpart and was eventually substituted due to injury in the 76th minute. Al Nassr insider Ali Alabdallh later reported that Mane felt a localized pain that prevented him from taking the pitch against Al Qadsiah. When asked for specifics during the post-match press conference, Jesus provided insight into his selection process: “I chose not to include Mane in the squad. He’s one of the players in Al Nassr that has played the most matches, and was also one of the players attacked on the weekend caught by the flu upon returning from a team trip, and had some difficulties.“ «اليوم قررت عدم إشراك ماني، في نهاية الأسبوع الماضي هو من بين اللاعبين الذين تعرضوا لإنفلونزا ولعب رغم الصعوبات الكبيرة.» 🟡جورجي جيسوس، مدرب @AlNassrFC، يجيب على سؤال صحفي «ثمانية» نواف العقيّل @nawaf__oga في المؤتمر الصحفي بعد مواجهة #القادسية_النصر 🎙️… pic.twitter.com/82GO1Q661Y— رياضة ثمانية (@thmanyahsports) May 4, 2026 While the bold decision to rest the winger coincided with the end of the club’s 20-game winning streak, Jorge Jesus stood by his move. “I looked for a fresher player down the left, so I took the decision for Mane to not play. We’ve already rested several players, including Cristiano Ronaldo and Joao Felix,” the Portuguese boss concluded. Mane: Al Nassr’s talisman in the 2025-26 season In terms of pure minutes for Al Nassr, Cristiano Ronaldo ranks 7th (2,814′) and has seen significantly more club action than Mane, who sits in 11th (2,360′), according to Transfermarkt. However, the 646 minutes Mane logged for Senegal during the mid-season AFCON have made him one of the most-used players in the world this season. When he is available, he has proven to be a lucky charm for the Saudi side. To date, Mane has appeared in 32 matches for Al Nassr across all competitions, tallying 13 goals and eight assists. While his raw stats may trail those of Ronaldo, Felix, or Coman, the team’s success rate with him is undeniable: Al Nassr has won 31 of the 32 games Mane has played. Without him, the club has struggled through 13 matches with a record of seven wins, one draw, and five defeats. Simakan and Angelo under the spotlight Following Sunday’s loss, Jorge Jesus granted the squad a rest day to recover from a dense schedule involving the AFC Champions League Two and the Saudi Pro League. As the team prepares to return to training on Tuesday, the health of Mohamed Simakan and Angelo will be the primary focus. According to Al Arriyadiyah, the medical staff will brief the technical team on the results of examinations for both players before training begins. Simakan and Angelo both sustained injuries during Sunday’s match; while Simakan managed to play until the final whistle, Angelo was forced off early. Their recovery will be critical as Al Nassr enters the final stretch of the title race.
Al Nassr took the lead against Al Ahli in the Saudi Pro League thanks to a goal from Cristiano Ronaldo. Al Nassr faced one of their toughest tests in the final stretch of the Saudi Pro League on Wednesday, going up against another of the country’s top teams in Al Ahli. However, Cristiano Ronaldo broke the deadlock with a precise header. For 76 minutes, the match had been tight and difficult for both sides. Each team’s defensive structure neutralized the attacking talent on the field, and clear scoring chances were few and far between. Ronaldo had a golden opportunity in the first half, when a through ball put him one-on-one with goalkeeper Edouard Mendy. However, as he tried to get past the opponent, the forward lost his angle and ended up delivering an off-target cross. In the second half, CR7 got his chance and made it count, scoring the opener with a well-placed header following a corner kick taken by Joao Felix. The goal gave Al Nassr the composure to control the tempo in the closing stages, with the pressure now shifting onto the visitors. That was Cristiano’s 99th Saudi Pro League goal.pic.twitter.com/gVQf8FNjOj— Al Nassr Zone (@TheNassrZone) April 29, 2026 With that scenario unfolding, Jorge Jesus’ side showed their quality and sealed the result in the final stretch of the match. Following a corner kick, Kingsley Coman collected the ball inside the box and scored the second goal with a powerful right-footed strike. Al Nassr are closing in on the title With Wednesday’s 2-0 win over Al Ahli, Al Nassr took a major step in their pursuit of the Saudi Pro League title. They now sit top of the standings with 79 points, eight ahead of Al Hilal, who have a game in hand. That means that, even in the worst-case scenario, the gap between the two sides would be five points. With only four matches remaining in the season, Al Nassr’s chances of securing the title are extremely high. Still, they cannot afford to relax, as one of those final four fixtures will be against Al Hilal, where that advantage will be directly on the line. Ronaldo closes in on 1,000 goals The goal against Al Ahli brought Cristiano Ronaldo even closer to the 1,000-goal milestone in his professional career. He now has 970, leaving him just 30 goals short of a mark no other player has ever reached in the history of soccer. Additionally, in the Saudi Pro League scoring chart, the Portuguese forward remains firmly in the race despite having missed a month of action due to a muscle injury. With 25 goals, Ronaldo currently sits third, two behind Al Ahli’s Ivan Toney and three behind the leader, Al Qadsiah’s Julian Quinones.
Tap a headline to view metadata and excerpt fields in Sportra, then use the article website button to continue on the original publisher page.
