Cristiano Ronaldo Faces Tougher Competition in Saudi Pro League
Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr faces increased challenges as rivals Al-Riyadh and Al-Ettifaq bolster their

Al Ettifaq is set to take on Al Nassr at 01:00 on August 26, 2026, in the third round of the Saudi Pro League 2026/27 season. This matchup promises to be exciting, with both teams showcasing impressive performances early in the season.
Al Nassr enters this game with great confidence, having secured two consecutive victories, including a commanding 4-0 win against Al Riyadh. Their attack has been prolific, scoring 7 goals in just two matches, while their defense remains unbreached. The spotlight will be on Cristiano Ronaldo, who has already made an impact this season by scoring a goal against Al Riyadh, bringing his career total to 977 goals. As Ronaldo approaches the milestone of 1,000 career goals, fans are eager to see if he can reach this historic mark in what is expected to be his final professional season.
On the other hand, Al Ettifaq, managed by Arthur Papas, has also started the season well, winning both of their opening matches. The team has been effective in front of goal, thanks in part to the contributions of Moussa Dembele. However, facing the reigning champions Al Nassr poses a significant challenge for the home side.
Historically, Al Nassr has had the upper hand in their recent encounters with Al Ettifaq, winning 3 out of their last 5 meetings, with 1 draw and only 1 loss. The quality and depth of Al Nassr's squad, featuring high-profile players, gives them a notable advantage.
Al Ettifaq (4-2-3-1): Rodak; Al-Otaibi, Khateeb, Calvo, Madu; Duda, Medran; Nkota, Wijnaldum, Al-Ghannam; Dembele.
Al Nassr (4-4-2): Bento; Boushal, Simakan, Al-Amri, Martinez; Coman, Brozovic, Al-Khaibari, Mane; Joao Felix, Ronaldo.
Despite playing at home, Al Ettifaq will find it challenging to contain the attacking prowess of Al Nassr. If Al Nassr maintains their current form, they are likely to secure all three points. The predicted score is Al Ettifaq 1 - 3 Al Nassr.