Cristiano Ronaldo returns to Al Nassr with copper-yellow hair ahead of 2026-27 season

Cristiano Ronaldo, the 41-year-old Portugal captain and Al Nassr forward, returned to Riyadh on Thursday sporting copper-yellow hair as he resumed preparations for the opening rounds of the 2026-27 Saudi Pro League. The five-time Ballon d'Or winner rejoined club duties after time away following Portugal's World Cup exit against Spain on July 6.

Ronaldo has also recently married longtime partner Georgina Rodriguez in a civil ceremony in Cascais, Portugal, and began his club build-up after that summer break. He swapped his familiar dark brown hair for a striking copper-yellow shade as he prepared for the new Saudi Pro League season. The change in appearance was shared on his Instagram story and drew immediate attention as he returned to training.

Ronaldo posted a photograph on his Instagram story on Thursday in which he was wearing a black T-shirt and displaying a necklace, a watch and a Gucci wash bag. The most notable alteration was a gelled crop of copper-yellow hair that contrasted with his dark eyebrows and presented a different look for the forward.

Ronaldo was back on the training pitch with Al Nassr on Thursday as the club prepared for the upcoming campaign. New Al Nassr manager Ange Postecoglou has described Ronaldo as someone who is "always ready", but it remains unclear whether the forward will feature in the opening match.

The Al Nassr Tribune has reported that Ronaldo is expected to make his competitive debut for the new season against Al Riyadh, although the coaching staff are yet to make a final decision on selection. That expectation has not been confirmed by the club or coaching staff.

The upcoming campaign will mark Ronaldo's 25th season in club football and sees him continuing to pursue the milestone of reaching 1,000 goals. He will also begin another season determined to reclaim the Saudi Pro League Golden Boot from Mexican forward Julian Quinones, while his return comes as Al Nassr look to build on a transfer window in which the squad strengthened and push for major honours.

Al Nassr begin their league campaign at home against Al Fateh on August 15 and then travel to face Al Riyadh on August 21.