The Cristiano Ronaldo return is expected to headline Matchday 22 of the Saudi Pro League as Al Nassr travel to face Al Fateh on Saturday. His comeback follows a three match absence across competitions and comes at a decisive moment in the title race.
Al Nassr sit second in the Saudi Pro League, just one point behind leaders Al Hilal. Any shift in momentum this week could directly impact the top of the table.
Meanwhile, Al Hilal host Al Ettifaq in Riyadh under mounting pressure, while Al Ahli look to capitalize on any slip in the standings.
Cristiano Ronaldo Return After Rest Decision
Ronaldo, 41, missed league victories over Al Riyadh and Al Ittihad, as well as the first leg of the AFC Champions League Two round of 16 against Turkmenistan’s Arkadag.
Head coach Jorge Jesus confirmed in a press conference that the decision was made to rest key players due to fixture congestion.
“I decided to leave Cristiano Ronaldo and the main players out to rest them because of match pressure,” Jesus said.
The squad for the continental fixture also excluded several foreign players including Joao Felix, Sadio Mane and Kingsley Coman. Brazilian duo Bento Matheus and Angelo Gabriel were included, along with Iraqi player Haider Abdul Karim. Six under 21 players were also called up.
Key Figures During His Absence
Despite Ronaldo’s absence, Al Nassr secured two consecutive league wins to maintain pressure on the leaders.
Notable points include:
Ronaldo missed five of Al Nassr’s six group stage matches in the Asian competition.
He played only one half against Iraq’s Al Zawraa.
He had not previously missed three consecutive matches since joining in December 2022.
His contract runs until June 2027. Recent media reports suggested dissatisfaction over the club’s transfer activity during the winter window, though no official statement has been issued by the player.
Al Hilal’s Lead Under Threat
Al Hilal host sixth placed Al Ettifaq at Kingdom Arena in a match that could reshape the Saudi Pro League summit.
The reigning leaders once held a comfortable seven point advantage, but three consecutive draws reduced that margin to a single point before they responded with a 6–0 victory over Al Okhdood.
Benzema Boosts Al Hilal
Al Hilal strengthened their squad during the winter transfer window with the arrival of French striker Karim Benzema, who scored a hat trick on his debut against Al Okhdood.
However, their run of six straight wins in the AFC Champions League Elite ended with a goalless draw against the UAE’s Shabab Al Ahli.
Al Ettifaq enter the fixture in strong form, having won three of their last four matches, making them a credible challenge for the league leaders.
H2: Al Ahli Await Opportunity
Before Al Hilal’s clash, third placed Al Ahli face Al Shabab with the chance to temporarily draw level on points with the leaders.
Head coach Matthias Jaissle said:
“We will continue working to compete for the league title this season. We are performing well both defensively and offensively despite continuous pressure and fatigue.”
He added that the team has improved significantly over two seasons, highlighting unity within the squad.
• Conclusion:
Matchday 22 could prove pivotal in the Saudi Pro League title race. The Cristiano Ronaldo return strengthens Al Nassr’s push, while Al Hilal must respond under pressure to protect their narrow lead at the top.
