Cristiano Ronaldo has returned to the Al Nassr matchday squad for the first time this season, but will begin Friday’s Roshn Saudi League game against Al Riyadh on the bench.
Al Nassr travel to the Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium for their second league match of the 2026-27 campaign, with manager Ange Postecoglou making several changes to the side that started the season.
The Portugal captain had been absent from Al Nassr’s opening two fixtures of the season. The club began their Roshn Saudi League campaign with a 3-0 win over Al Fateh before beating Al-Diriyah 4-1 in the last 32 of the King’s Cup.
Ronaldo’s inclusion among the substitutes represents his first involvement with the team this season, although Postecoglou has opted not to select him in the starting XI for the meeting with Al Riyadh.
Saudi Arabia forward Abdullah Al-Hamdan will lead the Al Nassr attack alongside Portugal international Joao Felix. They will be supported from wide areas by France winger Kingsley Coman and Senegal forward Sadio Mane.
Postecoglou has also chosen to rest France defender Mohamed Simakan and Portugal midfielder Samo Costa. The Australian coach has made those decisions with the early-season fixture schedule in mind and concerns over player fatigue caused by a run of closely spaced matches.
Abdulilah Al-Amri comes into the defence in place of Simakan and will partner Spain international Inigo Martinez at centre-back. Nawaf Boushal and Salem Al-Najdi are the two full-backs.
In midfield, Abdullah Al-Khaibari replaces Samo Costa and will play alongside Brazil’s Angelo.
Al Nassr start the match second in the Roshn Saudi League table with three points, having secured their opening-day victory against Al Fateh without conceding. Al Riyadh are 14th and have no points after losing their first fixture 4-2 to Al Ettifaq.
The match gives Al Nassr the opportunity to maintain their unbeaten start across their opening competitive fixtures while Ronaldo waits for his chance to return to action. His presence on the bench will be closely watched, but the starting line-up places responsibility on Al-Hamdan, Joao Felix, Coman and Mane to provide the attacking threat from the opening whistle.
Al Nassr’s announced selection includes Abdulilah Al-Amri, Inigo Martinez, Nawaf Boushal, Salem Al-Najdi, Abdullah Al-Khaibari and Angelo, with Ronaldo, Simakan and Samo Costa among the players not selected to start.