Al Nassr begin their 2025-26 Saudi Pro League campaign with a trip to Al Taawoun. It won't be an easy trip for Cristiano Ronaldo and co. -- as last season showed Al Taawoun are a tough outfit (Al Nassr were held to a 1-1 draw at home in their latest match), but another strong summer window means expectations will be sky high.
Ronaldo scored the 100th goal of his Al Nassr career in the Saudi Super Cup final loss to Al Ahli and will want to rectify his lack of silverware with his current club and start the new season with a statement win. He will be supported in this endeavour by the additions of Kingsley Coman, Joao Felix and Inigo Martinez along with new manager Jorge Jesus from big rivals Al Hilal. That ought to more than make up for the disappointment of big-money January signing Jhon Duran not working out.
Al Taawoun, meanwhile, had a far quieter summer. They were weakened by the end of Abdelhamid Sabiri's loan move from Serie A club Fiorentina, which means veteran Faycal Fajr will have to bear the brunt of playmaking duties for the side. Star man Musa Barrow of Gambia, who scored 18 goals last season, will be raring to go and help the unfancied club trouble the elite once again and prove that last season's eighth placed finish was no fluke.
Al Taawoun haven't lost their last three games against Al Nassr (W1, D2) and they'll be looking to cause another upset on opening day.
Here's everything you need to about Friday's game:
How to watch:
The match will be available on ESPN Africa across Sub-Saharan Africa and FanCode in India. You can also follow ESPN's live updates.
Note: How to tune in to ESPN -- ESPN: DStv 218, StarTimes 248 and ESPN2: DStv 219, StarTimes 249
Key Details:
Date: Friday, Aug 29 at 8.00 p.m. CAT (9:00 PM Saudi; 11:30 p.m. IST)
Venue: King Abdullah Sport City Stadium, Buraidah
Injury news:
Al Nassr
Sadio Mane, F: suspended, OUT
Aymeric Laporte, D: injury, DOUBT
Otavio, M: injury, DOUBT
Expected Lineups:
Al Taawoun
GK: Abdulquddus Atiah
CB: Waleel Al Ahmed | CB: Renne Rivas | CB: Andrei Girotto
RWB: Mohammed Mahzari | CM: Aschraf El Mahdioui | CM: Faycal Fajr | LWB: Al Mufarrij
RW: Mohammed Al Kuwaykibi | CF: Musa Barrow | LW: Roger Martinez
Al Nassr
GK: Bento
RB: Nawaf Boushal | CB: Mohamed Simakan | CB: Inigo Martinez | LB: Aiman Yahya
DM: Abdullah Al Khaibara | DM: Marcelo Brozovic
RW: Kingsley Coman | AM: Joao Felix | LW: Wesley
CF: Cristiano Ronaldo
Stats:
Cristiano Ronaldo is the first player to score 100 competitive goals for four different clubs
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