Villarreal defeated FC Astana 4-0 in UEFA Europa League. The fixture is part of the Play-offs stage in the 2014 season. The full-time result capped a Villarreal vs FC Astana meeting in UEFA Europa 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 Villarreal and FC Astana. On Sportra you can view xG, lineups, match statistics, events, player ratings, predictions, head-to-head history, and related news for this fixture.
UEFA Europa LeagueRecorded meetings: 0 (available previous meetings, not necessarily all-time).
Villarreal defeated FC Astana 4-0 in UEFA Europa League. The fixture is part of the Play-offs stage in the 2014 season. The full-time result capped a Villarreal vs FC Astana meeting in UEFA Europa 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 Villarreal and FC Astana. On Sportra you can view xG, lineups, match statistics, events, player ratings, predictions, head-to-head history, and related news for this fixture.
UEFA Europa League
Chelsea are bound to be the busiest Premier League club in what remains of the summer transfer window - at least when it comes to getting players out of the door.
Bruno Fernandes and Youri Tielemans will be key to Michael Carrick’s chances of success over a full season and of healing the rift between club and fansGuardian writers’ predicted position: 5th (NB: this is not necessarily Jamie Jackson’s prediction but the average of our writers’ tips)Last season’s position: 3rd Continue reading...
Chelsea are preparing for the possibility of a blockbuster late departure, with Manchester City continuing to pursue Enzo Fernandez despite the Blues previously attempting to shut down the transfer saga. The Argentina international remains one of Chelsea’s most valuable assets, and the club are determined not to lose him cheaply. Want more CaughtOffside coverage? Add […] The post Chelsea target Enzo Fernandez replacement as Man City interest refuses to go away appeared first on CaughtOffside.
Manchester United are facing another serious attempt to prise Bruno Fernandes away from Old Trafford, with Galatasaray preparing an ambitious package for the club captain. The Turkish champions are ready to offer around €50 million for the 31-year-old and are prepared to dramatically increase his salary. Want more CaughtOffside coverage? Add us as a preferred […] The post Club ready to offer double salary contract to Man United star to leave Old Trafford appeared first on CaughtOffside.
While the Portuguese superstar has watched the early stages of the campaign from the sidelines, the latest developments suggest his comeback is progressing exactly as the club hoped. Cristiano Ronaldo is edging closer to his return for Al-Nassr, with Ange Postecoglou increasingly confident about the condition of his captain. While the Portuguese superstar has watched the early stages of the campaign from the sidelines, the latest developments suggest his comeback is progressing exactly as the club hoped. Ronaldo has already returned to training after receiving an extended break following Portugal’s 2026 World Cup campaign and his wedding to Georgina Rodríguez. The 41-year-old missed the opening Saudi Pro League fixture against Al-Fateh and Tuesday’s King’s Cup clash with Al-Diriyah, but his absence has allowed Postecoglou to assess his squad without its biggest star. Al-Nassr began the new campaign impressively, beating Al-Fateh 3-0 before overcoming Al-Diriyah 4-1 in the King’s Cup. Joao Felix played a starring role against Al-Diriyah, scoring twice, while Mohamed Simakan and Abdullah Al-Hamdan also found the net. Ronaldo was present around the team despite being unavailable for selection. Before the opening league game, he was filmed encouraging his teammates with a passionate message, telling them, “Passion… play, play, play, play, play. First game is always the difficult one.” Chills 🗣️🔥 Ange Postecoglou & Cristiano Ronaldo combined for a huge pre-game rev up before Al Nassr’s first game of the season. pic.twitter.com/B3Sy8Vjurp— Football360.com.au (@football360au) August 18, 2026 Postecoglou has also been careful to avoid rushing his captain back into competitive action. Ronaldo’s return from his post-World Cup break has been accompanied by a special fitness plan designed to build his match sharpness, with the coaching staff focused on making sure he begins the season in the best possible condition. Postecoglou reveals major Ronaldo update After the King’s Cup victory over Al-Diriyah, Postecoglou offered the clearest indication yet that Ronaldo’s return is moving in the right direction. “Ronaldo is working very hard. He had the World Cup, and he’s important to us. He was busier than any other player, and it’s crucial that he starts the season ready,” the Australian said. The Al-Nassr manager added that the Portuguese superstar has already completed a training session and suggested supporters will see him back with the squad soon. “He’s had a training session, and I’m happy. Day by day, you’ll see him soon,” Postecoglou explained, determined to give his captain enough time to regain full match fitness after a demanding summer. Cristiano Ronaldo in Al-Nassr training Will Al-Nassr change its system for Ronaldo? One of the most interesting parts of Postecoglou’s update concerned how Ronaldo will fit into the team’s tactical approach once he returns. Despite the Portuguese forward’s enormous influence, the coach insists that Al-Nassr’s strategy will remain largely unchanged when its captain comes back. “I don’t think we’ll change our strategy with Ronaldo’s return. When he joins the team, we’ll have more room for improvement,” the Australian manager said. That suggests that he believes Ronaldo can be integrated into the structure already taking shape rather than forcing the team to completely reorganize itself around him. That could be encouraging for the veteran forward, especially after Al-Nassr produced two convincing victories without him. The early performances from Felix, Sadio Mane, Kingsley Coman, and Al-Hamdan have given Postecoglou additional attacking options while Ronaldo works his way back.
After Thiago Mendes denied him a handshake, Neymar issued a harsh response to the midfielder: "He's a nobody." Neymar was involved in one of the most talked-about moments of the weekend in Brazil after Thiago Mendes snubbed him during the pre-match handshakes before Santos faced Vasco da Gama. Following the match, the former Barcelona star offered a blunt response regarding the midfielder, stating: “He’s a nobody.” Santos traveled to face Vasco on Sunday, August 16, in a critical match to climb out of the relegation zone. Tensions flared early when the teams lined up for pre-game greetings, as Thiago Mendes was captured on camera refusing to shake Neymar’s hand, leaving the forward’s hand hanging before Neymar smirked and proceeded to greet the match officials. الاسطورة نيمار يمد يده ليصافح تياغو مينديز ولكنه يتجاهل نيمار 😨😨😨😨😨😨😨😨 pic.twitter.com/rYOAdTpbgR— Team Neymar (@TeamNey10) August 16, 2026 Behind goals from Gabriel Barbosa, Willian Arao, and Luan Peres, Santos secured a vital 3-0 victory in the Campeonato Brasileiro, but post-match discussions remained centered on the pre-game friction between the two captains. Speaking in the mixed zone at the Estadio Sao Januario, Neymar was asked directly about the snub and pulled no punches: “To be honest, I don’t care much about that guy. To me, he is a nobody. In 2020, he broke my ankle, which I think he did on purpose. And I didn’t let it go: we had a little fight in our last match against each other, which I think is normal in a football match.” Reflecting on their history across European and Brazilian soccer, Neymar continued his critique. “I wasn’t even thinking much about him in today’s match because I don’t care. He refused to shake my hand, which I see as very disrespectful. The most important thing is that we still won against them and he can keep crying. Everyone knows Neymar Jr., but nobody even knew Thiago Mendes’s name until today,” he concluded. The viral moment drew widespread attention across social media, with Santos’ official Instagram account adding fuel to the fire by posting a video referencing the snub. Neymar commented on the post with a laughing-crying emoji, adding the caption: “Pride comes before a fall.“ Neymar and Mendes’ history of friction Despite both hailing from Brazil, the rivalry between Neymar and Thiago Mendes dates back to their time playing in Europe, specifically in France. During a Ligue 1 clash between PSG and Olympique Lyonnais in 2020, Mendes committed a heavy tackle on Neymar that resulted in a severe ankle injury, forcing the superstar off the pitch in tears. Essa foi a famosa entrada do Thiago Mendes "para quebrar" o Neymar.Uma fake criada em época que o Neymar era intocável para os brasileiros.Alguém sem clubismo acha realmente que isso é uma falta absurdamente dura?Você sabia que o piti do Neymar era um lance "normal" assim? pic.twitter.com/wTgZ66BWGc— Rafael Rocha (@RR_VASCO) August 18, 2026 Medical reports later confirmed Neymar suffered a severe left ankle sprain, though initial fears had pointed to a fracture. The two players crossed paths again in February 2026 during a 2-1 victory for Santos, where they engaged in a heated mid-pitch argument that ended with Mendes aiming a headbutt at the Santos captain. Following that February incident, Neymar addressed Mendes’ conduct during his post-match press conference: “He is always the one starting problems, he always tries to act tough, he is always like that. With all due respect, he is an idiot. He broke me once at PSG and he made me a promise today. Let’s see if he has the manhood to break me again.“
The club is taking no chances with its captain after his extended summer break, and the latest update suggests supporters may not have to wait much longer to see him back on the pitch. Cristiano Ronaldo‘s return to competitive action with Al-Nassr is beginning to take clearer shape after the Portuguese superstar was handed a carefully managed fitness plan. The club is taking no chances with its captain after his extended summer break, and the latest update suggests supporters may not have to wait much longer to see him back on the pitch. Ronaldo has already returned to training, but Al-Nassr has decided to ease him back into competitive football rather than immediately throw him into the opening fixtures. A special fitness program has now been designed to prepare the 41-year-old for his comeback, with his workload being closely monitored by the club’s fitness staff. The Portuguese forward spent an extended period away from Al-Nassr following Portugal’s campaign at the 2026 World Cup. He subsequently returned to the Saudi club last week after enjoying time away from soccer, including his holiday with Georgina Rodriguez. Although Ronaldo missed the club’s preseason preparations in Lisbon, reports indicate that he maintained a good level of physical condition during his break. That has allowed Al-Nassr’s coaching staff to focus primarily on restoring his match sharpness rather than starting his conditioning work from scratch. The return of the GOAT is more likely than ever!🐐🥵 https://t.co/0mFElPY1dA pic.twitter.com/6zER04pEBD— The Nassr Tribune™️ (@AlNassrTribune) August 18, 2026 Saudi newspaper Al-Riyadiyah reported that Ronaldo has been placed on a special fitness plan designed by Al-Nassr’s fitness coach to raise his physical levels ahead of his return. Special 90-minute session forms part of comeback plan The latest update came as Ronaldo was scheduled to complete a 90-minute fitness session on Tuesday at Al-Nassr’s training center in Riyadh. The session is part of a tailored program intended to prepare him for competitive action in the coming weeks. Al-Riyadiyah reported that the club’s fitness coach had prepared a special program for the Portuguese star to build his fitness ahead of the upcoming matches. The session comes after Ronaldo missed Al-Nassr’s opening Saudi Pro League match against Al-Fateh, which the club won 3-0. He was also expected to sit out Tuesday’s King’s Cup Round of 32 clash against Al-Diriyah, with the coaching staff continuing to prioritize his gradual return. Cristiano Ronaldo in Al-Nassr training The exact return date is finally taking shape With the Al-Diriyah match effectively serving as another game Ronaldo will miss, attention now turns to Al-Nassr’s next league fixture. Ronaldo is now expected to return against Al-Riyadh on Friday, August 21, assuming he completes the fitness plan without any setbacks. That would give the veteran forward several more days to work on his conditioning before being reintroduced to competitive play. The timing also makes sense for Al-Nassr, which has little reason to rush its biggest star this early in a long campaign. Reports from Al-Riyadiyah also suggest Ronaldo has lost little of his sharpness during his time away from the club, providing further encouragement that his return could arrive sooner rather than later. The special fitness plan is therefore less about rebuilding his physical condition completely and more about making sure he is ready to handle the intensity of a competitive match.
Cristiano Ronaldo indicated this could be his final season as a professional and revealed which sport he'll take up in the future. Cristiano Ronaldo opened up about what could be the final chapter of his professional career in a wide-ranging interview with Vogue. The 41-year-old Portuguese forward didn’t rule out that this campaign with Al Nassr could be his last as a professional. “This is probably my last year of football,” he told the magazine, adding that he wants to leave behind a legacy fitting of his career. Asked about life after football, Ronaldo made clear he already has a plan in place, and that padel will be a central part of it. “I have my future all mapped out… Because football could leave a big hole, you have to fill your time in various ways, not just one. And also have more fun, travel more, watch and play padel, which I really like, and continue to enjoy what I’ve earned, what we’ve earned,” he said. None of it means Ronaldo is walking away just yet. He missed Al Nassr’s Saudi Pro League opener against Al Fateh on August 15 and also sat out their King’s Cup debut against Al-Diriyah, as he continues working his way back into match fitness after his wedding with Georgina Rodriguez. He’s expected to return for Al Nassr’s Matchday 2 clash with Al Riyadh on August 21, as the club looks to defend their title and secure back-to-back championships for the first time in more than 11 years. Cristiano Ronaldo and Georgina Rodríguez are married! For weeks, the internet was awash with speculation—about the date, the location, the guest list. (The rumored celebrity attendees included everyone from Rio Ferdinand to Rihanna.) In the end, the couple’s wedding took place on… pic.twitter.com/uBNOBVteye— Vogue Magazine (@voguemagazine) August 16, 2026 On an individual level, he remains just 24 goals shy of becoming the first player in history to reach 1,000 career goals, giving this potential farewell season no shortage of storylines regardless of how it ends. Ronaldo’s own padel club in Lisbon Ronaldo is far from the only elite athlete drawn to the sport, but few have invested in it quite like he has. In 2024, he acquired 100% of the shares in the Lisboa Racket Club, a premier complex in the Alvalade neighborhood featuring eight tennis courts, seven padel courts and five squash courts, making him the outright owner of one of Lisbon’s top racket-sports venues. Ronaldo isn’t the only star who plays padel Several other big football names have shown a taste for the sport too. Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez have also been spotted playing padel together in Miami, squaring off in a friendly match that went viral after Suarez lost a bet tied to it. Vinicius Junior has had a padel court installed at his own home, where he regularly plays with several Real Madrid teammates, and former Dutch international Arjen Robben has gone as far as competing in padel professionally since hanging up his boots.
Al Nassr face Al Diriyah today, August 18, in the 2026–27 King Cup of Champions, with the big question on why Cristiano Ronaldo won't play. Al Nassr and Al Diriyah meet in the Round of 32 of the 2026–27 King Cup of Champions, and all eyes are on Cristiano Ronaldo’s availability for this match. After the starting XI was announced, it was confirmed that Cristiano Ronaldo will sit out Al Nassr’s match against Al Diriyah. The Portuguese star did not feature in his team’s debut for the 2026–27 Saudi Pro League season either. Head coach Ange Postecoglou has decided to give the 41-year-old rest to regain match fitness following the 2026 World Cup and his recent wedding. Al-Nassr’s confirmed lineup While it is a Round of 32 cup match, Postecoglou deployed a strong starting XI similar to the squad featured in Matchday 1 of the 2026–27 SPL season against Al Fateh. Cristiano Ronaldo of Al Nassr. Al Nassr confirmed XI (4-3-3): Bento; Salem, Simakan, Alamri, Boushal; Coman, Costa, Angelo; Mane, Felix, Hamdan. Al Diriyah’s confirmed lineup As for Al Diriyah, the start of the season did not go as planned following a home defeat against Al Ahli Saudi. The club is aiming to get back on track in the King Cup of Champions. Al Diriyah confirmed XI (4-2-3-1): Vasilj; Al Faraj, Djimsiti, Mbemba, Al Obaid; Gueye, Al Malki; Diandy, Rodriguez, N’Koudou, Laborde.
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Chelsea are bound to be the busiest Premier League club in what remains of the summer transfer window - at least when it comes to getting players out of the door.
Bruno Fernandes and Youri Tielemans will be key to Michael Carrick’s chances of success over a full season and of healing the rift between club and fansGuardian writers’ predicted position: 5th (NB: this is not necessarily Jamie Jackson’s prediction but the average of our writers’ tips)Last season’s position: 3rd Continue reading...
Chelsea are preparing for the possibility of a blockbuster late departure, with Manchester City continuing to pursue Enzo Fernandez despite the Blues previously attempting to shut down the transfer saga. The Argentina international remains one of Chelsea’s most valuable assets, and the club are determined not to lose him cheaply. Want more CaughtOffside coverage? Add […] The post Chelsea target Enzo Fernandez replacement as Man City interest refuses to go away appeared first on CaughtOffside.
Manchester United are facing another serious attempt to prise Bruno Fernandes away from Old Trafford, with Galatasaray preparing an ambitious package for the club captain. The Turkish champions are ready to offer around €50 million for the 31-year-old and are prepared to dramatically increase his salary. Want more CaughtOffside coverage? Add us as a preferred […] The post Club ready to offer double salary contract to Man United star to leave Old Trafford appeared first on CaughtOffside.
While the Portuguese superstar has watched the early stages of the campaign from the sidelines, the latest developments suggest his comeback is progressing exactly as the club hoped. Cristiano Ronaldo is edging closer to his return for Al-Nassr, with Ange Postecoglou increasingly confident about the condition of his captain. While the Portuguese superstar has watched the early stages of the campaign from the sidelines, the latest developments suggest his comeback is progressing exactly as the club hoped. Ronaldo has already returned to training after receiving an extended break following Portugal’s 2026 World Cup campaign and his wedding to Georgina Rodríguez. The 41-year-old missed the opening Saudi Pro League fixture against Al-Fateh and Tuesday’s King’s Cup clash with Al-Diriyah, but his absence has allowed Postecoglou to assess his squad without its biggest star. Al-Nassr began the new campaign impressively, beating Al-Fateh 3-0 before overcoming Al-Diriyah 4-1 in the King’s Cup. Joao Felix played a starring role against Al-Diriyah, scoring twice, while Mohamed Simakan and Abdullah Al-Hamdan also found the net. Ronaldo was present around the team despite being unavailable for selection. Before the opening league game, he was filmed encouraging his teammates with a passionate message, telling them, “Passion… play, play, play, play, play. First game is always the difficult one.” Chills 🗣️🔥 Ange Postecoglou & Cristiano Ronaldo combined for a huge pre-game rev up before Al Nassr’s first game of the season. pic.twitter.com/B3Sy8Vjurp— Football360.com.au (@football360au) August 18, 2026 Postecoglou has also been careful to avoid rushing his captain back into competitive action. Ronaldo’s return from his post-World Cup break has been accompanied by a special fitness plan designed to build his match sharpness, with the coaching staff focused on making sure he begins the season in the best possible condition. Postecoglou reveals major Ronaldo update After the King’s Cup victory over Al-Diriyah, Postecoglou offered the clearest indication yet that Ronaldo’s return is moving in the right direction. “Ronaldo is working very hard. He had the World Cup, and he’s important to us. He was busier than any other player, and it’s crucial that he starts the season ready,” the Australian said. The Al-Nassr manager added that the Portuguese superstar has already completed a training session and suggested supporters will see him back with the squad soon. “He’s had a training session, and I’m happy. Day by day, you’ll see him soon,” Postecoglou explained, determined to give his captain enough time to regain full match fitness after a demanding summer. Cristiano Ronaldo in Al-Nassr training Will Al-Nassr change its system for Ronaldo? One of the most interesting parts of Postecoglou’s update concerned how Ronaldo will fit into the team’s tactical approach once he returns. Despite the Portuguese forward’s enormous influence, the coach insists that Al-Nassr’s strategy will remain largely unchanged when its captain comes back. “I don’t think we’ll change our strategy with Ronaldo’s return. When he joins the team, we’ll have more room for improvement,” the Australian manager said. That suggests that he believes Ronaldo can be integrated into the structure already taking shape rather than forcing the team to completely reorganize itself around him. That could be encouraging for the veteran forward, especially after Al-Nassr produced two convincing victories without him. The early performances from Felix, Sadio Mane, Kingsley Coman, and Al-Hamdan have given Postecoglou additional attacking options while Ronaldo works his way back.
After Thiago Mendes denied him a handshake, Neymar issued a harsh response to the midfielder: "He's a nobody." Neymar was involved in one of the most talked-about moments of the weekend in Brazil after Thiago Mendes snubbed him during the pre-match handshakes before Santos faced Vasco da Gama. Following the match, the former Barcelona star offered a blunt response regarding the midfielder, stating: “He’s a nobody.” Santos traveled to face Vasco on Sunday, August 16, in a critical match to climb out of the relegation zone. Tensions flared early when the teams lined up for pre-game greetings, as Thiago Mendes was captured on camera refusing to shake Neymar’s hand, leaving the forward’s hand hanging before Neymar smirked and proceeded to greet the match officials. الاسطورة نيمار يمد يده ليصافح تياغو مينديز ولكنه يتجاهل نيمار 😨😨😨😨😨😨😨😨 pic.twitter.com/rYOAdTpbgR— Team Neymar (@TeamNey10) August 16, 2026 Behind goals from Gabriel Barbosa, Willian Arao, and Luan Peres, Santos secured a vital 3-0 victory in the Campeonato Brasileiro, but post-match discussions remained centered on the pre-game friction between the two captains. Speaking in the mixed zone at the Estadio Sao Januario, Neymar was asked directly about the snub and pulled no punches: “To be honest, I don’t care much about that guy. To me, he is a nobody. In 2020, he broke my ankle, which I think he did on purpose. And I didn’t let it go: we had a little fight in our last match against each other, which I think is normal in a football match.” Reflecting on their history across European and Brazilian soccer, Neymar continued his critique. “I wasn’t even thinking much about him in today’s match because I don’t care. He refused to shake my hand, which I see as very disrespectful. The most important thing is that we still won against them and he can keep crying. Everyone knows Neymar Jr., but nobody even knew Thiago Mendes’s name until today,” he concluded. The viral moment drew widespread attention across social media, with Santos’ official Instagram account adding fuel to the fire by posting a video referencing the snub. Neymar commented on the post with a laughing-crying emoji, adding the caption: “Pride comes before a fall.“ Neymar and Mendes’ history of friction Despite both hailing from Brazil, the rivalry between Neymar and Thiago Mendes dates back to their time playing in Europe, specifically in France. During a Ligue 1 clash between PSG and Olympique Lyonnais in 2020, Mendes committed a heavy tackle on Neymar that resulted in a severe ankle injury, forcing the superstar off the pitch in tears. Essa foi a famosa entrada do Thiago Mendes "para quebrar" o Neymar.Uma fake criada em época que o Neymar era intocável para os brasileiros.Alguém sem clubismo acha realmente que isso é uma falta absurdamente dura?Você sabia que o piti do Neymar era um lance "normal" assim? pic.twitter.com/wTgZ66BWGc— Rafael Rocha (@RR_VASCO) August 18, 2026 Medical reports later confirmed Neymar suffered a severe left ankle sprain, though initial fears had pointed to a fracture. The two players crossed paths again in February 2026 during a 2-1 victory for Santos, where they engaged in a heated mid-pitch argument that ended with Mendes aiming a headbutt at the Santos captain. Following that February incident, Neymar addressed Mendes’ conduct during his post-match press conference: “He is always the one starting problems, he always tries to act tough, he is always like that. With all due respect, he is an idiot. He broke me once at PSG and he made me a promise today. Let’s see if he has the manhood to break me again.“
The club is taking no chances with its captain after his extended summer break, and the latest update suggests supporters may not have to wait much longer to see him back on the pitch. Cristiano Ronaldo‘s return to competitive action with Al-Nassr is beginning to take clearer shape after the Portuguese superstar was handed a carefully managed fitness plan. The club is taking no chances with its captain after his extended summer break, and the latest update suggests supporters may not have to wait much longer to see him back on the pitch. Ronaldo has already returned to training, but Al-Nassr has decided to ease him back into competitive football rather than immediately throw him into the opening fixtures. A special fitness program has now been designed to prepare the 41-year-old for his comeback, with his workload being closely monitored by the club’s fitness staff. The Portuguese forward spent an extended period away from Al-Nassr following Portugal’s campaign at the 2026 World Cup. He subsequently returned to the Saudi club last week after enjoying time away from soccer, including his holiday with Georgina Rodriguez. Although Ronaldo missed the club’s preseason preparations in Lisbon, reports indicate that he maintained a good level of physical condition during his break. That has allowed Al-Nassr’s coaching staff to focus primarily on restoring his match sharpness rather than starting his conditioning work from scratch. The return of the GOAT is more likely than ever!🐐🥵 https://t.co/0mFElPY1dA pic.twitter.com/6zER04pEBD— The Nassr Tribune™️ (@AlNassrTribune) August 18, 2026 Saudi newspaper Al-Riyadiyah reported that Ronaldo has been placed on a special fitness plan designed by Al-Nassr’s fitness coach to raise his physical levels ahead of his return. Special 90-minute session forms part of comeback plan The latest update came as Ronaldo was scheduled to complete a 90-minute fitness session on Tuesday at Al-Nassr’s training center in Riyadh. The session is part of a tailored program intended to prepare him for competitive action in the coming weeks. Al-Riyadiyah reported that the club’s fitness coach had prepared a special program for the Portuguese star to build his fitness ahead of the upcoming matches. The session comes after Ronaldo missed Al-Nassr’s opening Saudi Pro League match against Al-Fateh, which the club won 3-0. He was also expected to sit out Tuesday’s King’s Cup Round of 32 clash against Al-Diriyah, with the coaching staff continuing to prioritize his gradual return. Cristiano Ronaldo in Al-Nassr training The exact return date is finally taking shape With the Al-Diriyah match effectively serving as another game Ronaldo will miss, attention now turns to Al-Nassr’s next league fixture. Ronaldo is now expected to return against Al-Riyadh on Friday, August 21, assuming he completes the fitness plan without any setbacks. That would give the veteran forward several more days to work on his conditioning before being reintroduced to competitive play. The timing also makes sense for Al-Nassr, which has little reason to rush its biggest star this early in a long campaign. Reports from Al-Riyadiyah also suggest Ronaldo has lost little of his sharpness during his time away from the club, providing further encouragement that his return could arrive sooner rather than later. The special fitness plan is therefore less about rebuilding his physical condition completely and more about making sure he is ready to handle the intensity of a competitive match.
Cristiano Ronaldo indicated this could be his final season as a professional and revealed which sport he'll take up in the future. Cristiano Ronaldo opened up about what could be the final chapter of his professional career in a wide-ranging interview with Vogue. The 41-year-old Portuguese forward didn’t rule out that this campaign with Al Nassr could be his last as a professional. “This is probably my last year of football,” he told the magazine, adding that he wants to leave behind a legacy fitting of his career. Asked about life after football, Ronaldo made clear he already has a plan in place, and that padel will be a central part of it. “I have my future all mapped out… Because football could leave a big hole, you have to fill your time in various ways, not just one. And also have more fun, travel more, watch and play padel, which I really like, and continue to enjoy what I’ve earned, what we’ve earned,” he said. None of it means Ronaldo is walking away just yet. He missed Al Nassr’s Saudi Pro League opener against Al Fateh on August 15 and also sat out their King’s Cup debut against Al-Diriyah, as he continues working his way back into match fitness after his wedding with Georgina Rodriguez. He’s expected to return for Al Nassr’s Matchday 2 clash with Al Riyadh on August 21, as the club looks to defend their title and secure back-to-back championships for the first time in more than 11 years. Cristiano Ronaldo and Georgina Rodríguez are married! For weeks, the internet was awash with speculation—about the date, the location, the guest list. (The rumored celebrity attendees included everyone from Rio Ferdinand to Rihanna.) In the end, the couple’s wedding took place on… pic.twitter.com/uBNOBVteye— Vogue Magazine (@voguemagazine) August 16, 2026 On an individual level, he remains just 24 goals shy of becoming the first player in history to reach 1,000 career goals, giving this potential farewell season no shortage of storylines regardless of how it ends. Ronaldo’s own padel club in Lisbon Ronaldo is far from the only elite athlete drawn to the sport, but few have invested in it quite like he has. In 2024, he acquired 100% of the shares in the Lisboa Racket Club, a premier complex in the Alvalade neighborhood featuring eight tennis courts, seven padel courts and five squash courts, making him the outright owner of one of Lisbon’s top racket-sports venues. Ronaldo isn’t the only star who plays padel Several other big football names have shown a taste for the sport too. Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez have also been spotted playing padel together in Miami, squaring off in a friendly match that went viral after Suarez lost a bet tied to it. Vinicius Junior has had a padel court installed at his own home, where he regularly plays with several Real Madrid teammates, and former Dutch international Arjen Robben has gone as far as competing in padel professionally since hanging up his boots.
Al Nassr face Al Diriyah today, August 18, in the 2026–27 King Cup of Champions, with the big question on why Cristiano Ronaldo won't play. Al Nassr and Al Diriyah meet in the Round of 32 of the 2026–27 King Cup of Champions, and all eyes are on Cristiano Ronaldo’s availability for this match. After the starting XI was announced, it was confirmed that Cristiano Ronaldo will sit out Al Nassr’s match against Al Diriyah. The Portuguese star did not feature in his team’s debut for the 2026–27 Saudi Pro League season either. Head coach Ange Postecoglou has decided to give the 41-year-old rest to regain match fitness following the 2026 World Cup and his recent wedding. Al-Nassr’s confirmed lineup While it is a Round of 32 cup match, Postecoglou deployed a strong starting XI similar to the squad featured in Matchday 1 of the 2026–27 SPL season against Al Fateh. Cristiano Ronaldo of Al Nassr. Al Nassr confirmed XI (4-3-3): Bento; Salem, Simakan, Alamri, Boushal; Coman, Costa, Angelo; Mane, Felix, Hamdan. Al Diriyah’s confirmed lineup As for Al Diriyah, the start of the season did not go as planned following a home defeat against Al Ahli Saudi. The club is aiming to get back on track in the King Cup of Champions. Al Diriyah confirmed XI (4-2-3-1): Vasilj; Al Faraj, Djimsiti, Mbemba, Al Obaid; Gueye, Al Malki; Diandy, Rodriguez, N’Koudou, Laborde.
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