Cristiano Ronaldo has made his first public appearance with Al Nassr’s players since Portugal’s elimination from the 2026 World Cup, attending the Saudi club’s final pre-season friendly in Lisbon.
The Al Nassr captain was present as his team faced Spanish side Almeria in the final match of their overseas training camp in the Portuguese capital on Tuesday, four days before the start of the 2026-27 football season.
A video published on Al Nassr’s official account on X showed Ronaldo greeting members of the squad before the match. He also shook hands with the club’s new Australian manager, Ange Postecoglou.
Ronaldo did not take part in training and was not involved on the pitch, but his appearance marked the first time he had met Al Nassr’s players and coaching staff since Portugal’s World Cup campaign ended.
Portugal were beaten 1-0 by Spain in the last 16 on 6 July. Ronaldo had been the only Al Nassr player yet to return to training following the tournament, despite almost a month having passed since his country’s exit.
His attendance in Lisbon came shortly before his wedding ceremony with his partner, Georgina Rodriguez. The ceremony is scheduled to take place on Saturday on the Portuguese island of Madeira, according to reports published previously.
Ronaldo joined Al Nassr in January 2023 and helped the club win the Saudi Pro League title last season, ending a seven-year wait for the championship. He has also won the competition’s top-scorer award twice.
The meeting with Almeria represented Al Nassr’s final friendly before the new campaign. The club’s preparations have taken place in Lisbon, with Postecoglou beginning his work as the team’s new manager.
Ronaldo’s return to the club environment comes after a demanding summer with Portugal and leaves him as the last member of the Al Nassr squad to rejoin training after the World Cup. His decision to attend the match nevertheless allowed him to reconnect with his team-mates and meet Postecoglou in person before the start of the season.
The appearance was also Ronaldo’s first with Al Nassr since Portugal’s defeat by Spain, bringing an end to the period in which the forward had remained away from the squad following the tournament.
