Ange Postecoglou Confirms Cristiano Ronaldo’s Readiness as Al-Nassr Prepares for Crucial Saudi Pro League Match

Ange Postecoglou, the head coach of Al-Nassr, has assured fans that Cristiano Ronaldo is in excellent physical and mental condition ahead of their next Saudi Pro League game. The 41-year-old forward rejoined the squad after leaving the Portugal national team camp early, and is expected to start when the Riyadh club hosts Al-Diriyah on Friday.

Focus Remains on Club Duties Amid Portugal Controversy

Despite ongoing speculation surrounding Ronaldo's situation with the Portuguese national team, Postecoglou declined to comment on any issues involving the player and Portugal coach Jorge Jesus. He emphasized his priority is preparing his team for their domestic campaign. The manager said, "Cristiano has returned to the club in good physical and mental shape. That is the most important thing for us." When pressed about reported tensions between Ronaldo and the national team coach, Postecoglou stated, "I don’t like club managers commenting on what happens in the national team, so I won’t talk about it."

Team Gathers Strength Ahead of Busy Schedule

Al-Nassr also welcomed back Joao Felix to full training in Riyadh, giving the coaching staff another boost. They are now awaiting the return of their Saudi internationals who recently helped their country secure the Arabian Gulf Cup by defeating the United Arab Emirates 2-0 in the final.

Reuniting the full squad is crucial for the reigning league champions as they face a demanding autumn schedule with both domestic and continental matches looming.

Title Race Heats Up

Currently sitting just two points behind the league leaders, Al-Nassr knows that a victory against Al-Diriyah will keep pressure on front-runners Al-Hilal and Al-Ittihad. This match marks the start of an intense period for the champions, who cannot afford to drop points before focusing on regional tournaments.

At the forefront of their attack, Ronaldo aims to add to his impressive career tally of 979 goals as he pushes toward the 1,000-goal milestone.

• Saudi Pro League Fixture: Al-Nassr vs Al-Diriyah
• Date and Time: 9 October 2026, 21:00