Will Cristiano Ronaldo play for Al-Nassr against Granada? Report provides update
Cristiano Ronaldo will reportedly be absent for Al-Nassr's friendly clash against Granada on Sunday, August 4, at Estadio Municipal Ciudad de La Línea. The Knights of Najd have not bagged a win in any of their three pre-season matches in the Portuguese icon's absence.
The five-time Ballon d'Or winner, who has been on vacation with his family after Portugal's 2024 UEFA Euro campaign, is now back in training with Al-Nassr's squad. Ronaldo shared pictures of himself and his club teammates on Instagram yesterday. The caption read:
"Good to be back."
However, some reports from Saudi League sources have claimed that Cristiano Ronaldo might miss the Riyadh-based club's match against Granada. The 39-year-old forward will not be present in the upcoming friendly, as per Al Nassr Zone on X.
Ronaldo will reportedly start for the Saudi Pro League club in their friendly clash against La Liga club UD Almería on Friday.
Al Nassr finished second in the Saudi Pro League table with 82 points in the 2023-24 season, trailing champions and arch-rival Al Hilal by 14 points. They were also runners-up in the 2024 King's Cup.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr teammate reportedly in talks to terminate contract amid interest from Europe
Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr teammate Aymeric Laporte, who arrived at the Riyadh-based club last summer, reportedly wants to part ways for a potential move to Real Madrid.
Laporte joined the club from Manchester City last season and has recorded four goals and one assist in 39 games across all competitions.
Although his contract with Al Nassr is valid until 2026, Aymeric Laporte wants to leave the club this summer, as per Saudi publication Al-Yaum (via GOAL). His agent is reportedly in talks with the club for the termination of his contract, with the defender looking to join Los Blancos.
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti is reportedly interested in signing the Spaniard as an addition to the defense after club legend Nacho Fernandez's departure.
Saudi publication Al-Yaum also reported that Al-Nassr president Ibrahim Al-Muhaidib has traveled to Spain to talk with sporting director Fernando Hierro and head coach Luis Castro about Aymeric Laporte's potential departure.