Benfica defeated Al-Nassr 4-1 in Friendlies Clubs. The fixture is part of the Club Friendlies 5 stage in the 2023 season. The match was played at Estadio Algarve in Faro. The full-time result capped a Benfica vs Al-Nassr meeting in Friendlies Clubs 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 Benfica and Al-Nassr. On Sportra you can view xG, lineups, match statistics, events, player ratings, predictions, head-to-head history, and related news for this fixture.
Friendlies ClubsRecorded meetings: 0 (available previous meetings, not necessarily all-time).
Real Madrid let a two-goal lead slip through their fingers against Fiorentina, but Jose Mourinho was still impressed with their performance. The post ‘I liked everything’ – Mourinho impressed by ‘three-faced’ Real Madrid appeared first on SoccerNews.
Real Madrid kicked off the Jose Mourinho era with a 2-2 draw against Fiorentina in Austria, and the friendly proved a memorable occasion for several members of the squad.Debutants Denzel Dumfries and ...
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
Portugal defender Antonio Silva says he is "excited" to join Bournemouth after signing for the Cherries in a deal worth up to £25.7m. The 22-year-old joins from Benfica, where he has been a regular since breaking into the first team in 2022 and has featured in the Champions League, Europa League and Club World Cup. It is a key signing for Bournemouth, who identified replacing Marcos Senesi, following his free-transfer move to Tottenham earlier this month, as a priority.
Dive into the latest evaluations to see exactly how Ronaldo's championship stacks up against Messi's in the ultimate battle for league supremacy. The Cristiano Ronaldo vs. Lionel Messi debate just leveled up, completely shifting from individual stats to an all-out battle between their leagues. With fresh data revealing a massive shakeup in global league rankings, fans are aggressively comparing the competitive strength of where these two icons currently play. Dive into the latest evaluations to see exactly how Ronaldo’s championship stacks up against Messi’s in the ultimate battle for league supremacy. The debate has intensified because both stars have transformed the profile of their respective leagues since arriving. While Ronaldo has repeatedly defended the quality of the Saudi Pro League, Messi’s influence has coincided with continued growth in Major League Soccer, leaving fans eager to see how both competitions measure up after the 2026 World Cup. MLS climbs while Saudi Pro League slips The mystery was cleared up when Global Football Rankings placed Major League Soccer in 10th place worldwide with an average rating of 79.3, while the Saudi Pro League fell to 36th with a rating of 75.1. The updated standings represent one of the biggest changes seen since the World Cup and have generated heated discussions across the soccer community. According to the latest rankings, MLS has entered the world’s top 10 leagues for the first time, while the Saudi Pro League has slipped well outside the top 30. The results quickly spread across social media, where supporters began comparing the progress of both competitions. According to Kaishi Sport’s latest rankings, MLS earned an average rating of 79.3 to secure 10th place, while the Saudi Pro League finished 36th with a rating of 75.1. 🚨| After the World Cup, MLS entered the world’s top 10 leagues for the first time, while the Saudi Pro League dropped outside the top 30. pic.twitter.com/2L8eVZ7mOI— Kalshi Sports (@KalshiSports) July 31, 2026 Unlike rankings based purely on transfer spending or star players, Global Football Rankings evaluates leagues by examining their overall competitive level and the average quality across every club. Match results, league balance, and consistency throughout the competition all contribute to the final score. That approach explains why a league with several global superstars may still rank lower if there is a significant difference between its strongest and weakest clubs. It also rewards competitions where a greater number of teams remain competitive throughout the season. Different systems tell different stories One important detail behind the debate is that league rankings vary considerably depending on the methodology used. While Global Football Rankings places MLS inside the world’s top 10 and the Saudi Pro League in 36th position, several other organizations produce very different results. Opta’s Power Rankings, which focus heavily on club strength across an entire league, reportedly place MLS around 19th and the Saudi Pro League near 42nd. SystemMLS RankSaudi Pro League RankGlobal Football Rankings (Jul 31, 2026)10th36thOpta Power Rankings (late Jul 2026)~19th~42ndIFFHS (2025, released Jan 2026)40th13th Meanwhile, the International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS) released rankings earlier in 2026 that positioned the Saudi Pro League 13th and MLS 40th, creating an almost opposite picture. Those differences highlight that there is no universally accepted league ranking.
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 international 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.
According to reports, Cristiano Ronaldo could see a goalkeeper change at the club, as Bento's future doesn't appear guaranteed at Al Nassr. Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr are just weeks away from kicking off their title defense after winning the 2025-26 Saudi Pro League in May, yet the club has still to close out a marquee new signing to reinforce the squad. With preseason already underway, the only major incoming deal on the table remains the pursuit of Samu Costa, leaving Ronaldo and the coaching staff still waiting on fresh reinforcements as the new campaign approaches. However, Bento could leave the club to make way for a new signing. According to a report from 365Scores Arabic, head coach Ange Postecoglou is open to letting Bento leave this summer if a suitable offer arrives, a move that would free up one of Al Nassr‘s limited foreign-player slots. Under Saudi Pro League rules, clubs are capped to ten of non-Saudi players they can register, so parting ways with Bento would give the club room to pursue a new foreign full-back or midfielder, positions where, according to the report, Postecoglou wants to reinforce the squad. Bento and Cristiano Ronaldo of Al Nassr. (Getty Images) Postecoglou puts his trust in Al Aqidi Should Bento depart, Nawaf Al Aqidi is reportedly the leading candidate to step in as Al Nassr’s first-choice goalkeeper, with the coaching staff increasingly comfortable trusting the existing squad options between the posts rather than bringing in a replacement from outside. The move also fits into a broader pattern for Al Nassr this summer, which has so far centered more on reincorporating players from loan, such as Jhon Durán and Wesley, than on marquee outside additions. Freeing up Bento’s slot would give the club more flexibility to add proven talent from abroad as they build a squad capable of defending their first league title since 2019. Samu Costa’s situation Al Nassr have already reached an agreement with RCD Mallorca for Samu Costa, with the Portuguese midfielder specifically requested by Postecoglou to fill the defensive-midfield role left open by Marcelo Brozović’s departure. The deal, initially reported in the $22 million range, is reportedly awaiting final approval from the Saudi Pro League’s Financial Control Committee before it can be formally announced, with Costa expected to link up with his new teammates once the paperwork clears.
While the club pushes ahead with preparations for the new season and the Portugal national team has already concluded its campaign, a new update has emerged that explains why supporters will have to wait a little longer before seeing the veteran forward back in training. Cristiano Ronaldo continues to dominate headlines even while away from the pitch, with fresh reports suggesting the Al-Nassr captain is still not ready to return from his summer break following the 2026 World Cup. While the club pushes ahead with preparations for the new season and the Portugal national team has already concluded its campaign, a new update has emerged that explains why supporters will have to wait a little longer before seeing the veteran forward back in training. The Portuguese superstar has spent the past few weeks enjoying family time after an emotional end to his international career, while Al-Nassr has been conducting its preseason camp in Lisbon under new head coach Ange Postecoglou. Although many expected Ronaldo to return once his mandatory rest period ended, the latest developments point toward a different timetable. The 41-year-old recently shared a glimpse into his vacation by posting photos from Mallorca alongside his eldest son, Cristiano Jr., who is now part of Al-Nassr’s youth academy. The father-son images quickly went viral, especially as the 16-year-old appeared taller than the five-time Ballon d’Or winner while displaying a similarly athletic physique. The Instagram post featured Ronaldo and Cristiano Jr. posing shirtless on a rocky beach, accompanied by the playful caption, “Not yet.” The holiday also included Ronaldo’s fiancée Georgina Rodriguez, with the family enjoying time together following what has been a demanding year on and off the field. Earlier in the vacation, Rodriguez also shared footage of the couple swimming in a scenic underground pool, offering fans another rare look into their private lives. View this post on Instagram Ronaldo’s vacation followed Portugal’s elimination in the Round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup, where the national team suffered a narrow defeat against Spain on July 6. The tournament marked the conclusion of the legendary striker’s international career, making the emotional aftermath even more significant. New report explains Ronaldo’s delayed return Following that defeat, the veteran stepped away from soccer to recharge physically and mentally before beginning preparations for another campaign with Al-Nassr. While many expected Ronaldo to report back to Al-Nassr after completing the standard 21-day post-tournament recovery period, fresh information from Saudi journalist Rtiban Al-Dosari paints a different picture. According to his post on X (formerly Twitter), Ronaldo will not rejoin Al-Nassr during the club’s training camp in Lisbon. Instead, the Portuguese forward is expected to wait until after the squad returns from Portugal, meaning his comeback has been pushed back beyond the conclusion of the overseas camp. Cristiano Ronaldo of Al Nassr celebrates with the Saudi Pro League Trophy. Al-Nassr’s preseason camp officially ends on August 5, after which the delegation will travel back to Riyadh. The players are also expected to receive a brief period of rest following their return, meaning Ronaldo’s first training session is now likely to take place only shortly before the start of the competitive season. That schedule would leave the club’s biggest star with roughly one week of full training before Al-Nassr begins the 2026-27 Saudi Pro League campaign on August 15 against Al-Fateh. Al-Nassr squad gradually coming together Although Ronaldo remains absent, the rest of the squad has gradually been reassembled during the Lisbon camp. Abdulelah Al-Amri has already returned after arriving earlier this week. At the same time, Joao Felix and Sadio Mane were also expected to report to the Portuguese camp, leaving Ronaldo as the final notable absentee. Joao Felix and Cristiano Ronaldo Earlier report
There was a time when Antonio Silva's rise to the top appeared an inevitability. He was only 18 years old when he scored his first Champions League goal for Benfica in a 4-3 win over Juventus. He played at the 2022 World Cup for Portugal soon after that.
Antonio Silva would be a key signing for Bournemouth, who identified replacing Marcos Senesi, following his free-transfer move to Tottenham earlier this month, as a priority. Club sources say the £26m move for Silva has required patience, with an agreement only reached after Benfica's Europa League qualifying-round victory over Swiss side St Gallen on Thursday. Silva has been a regular for Benfica since breaking into the first team in 2022 and has featured in the Champions League, Europa League and Club World Cup.
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