Cristiano Ronaldo-led Al-Nassr handed boost as 2 key players set to be available for Saudi Super Cup - Reports
Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr are reportedly set to have Bento and Talisca for the upcoming Saudi Super Cup. The Knights of Najd open their campaign in the semi-final, where they take on Al-Taawoun on August 14.
Luis Castro's side are coming off a 1-0 friendly defeat at Granada earlier this week, with Boye scoring the only goal of the game in first-half stoppage time. Talisca had a second-half penalty saved as the Saudi Pro League giants crashed to a defeat.
It's pertinent to note that Ronaldo didn't feature in the game, as he recently joined his club's training after a vacation with his family following his involvement with Portugal at Euro 2024.
Ronaldo endured a rare scoreless campaign - bagging a solitary assist in five games - as A Selecao lost 5-3 on penalties to France after a goalless 120 minutes, despite the Portugal captain scoring in the shootout.
However, ahead of the 2024-25 season, Al-Alami have received a boost, as Bento and Talisca will be available for the Saudi Super Cup, as reported by Al-Nassr Zone.
Al-Alami are coming off successive trophyless campaigns as they finished runner-up twice in the Saudi Pro League.
How Cristiano Ronaldo has fared for Al-Nassr so far
Cristiano Ronaldo has had a decent stint at Saudi Pro League giants Al-Nassr - whom he joined in December 2022 on a free transfer following two decades in European football.
In the second half of the 2022-23 season, the 39-year-old bagged 14 goals and two assists in 19 games across competitions. All the goal contributions came in 16 outings in the league, where the Knights of Najf finished behind winners Al-Ittihad.
Last season - Ronaldo's first full campaign in Saudi Arabian football - Ronaldo sparkled with an impressive 44 strikes and 12 assists in 45 outings across competitions.
That included a record 35 strikes (and 11 assists) in 31 games in the Saudi top flight - where Castro's side finished behind runaway unbeaten winners Al-Hilal. Ronaldo also scored six times and provided an assist in eight games in his maiden AFC Champions League campaign, where his side lost to Al-Ain on penalties in the quarter-finals.