Cristiano Ronaldo set to feature for Al Nassr at Al Ettifaq in Saudi Pro League matchweek 3
Cristiano Ronaldo is expected to play for Al Nassr in their Saudi Pro League match against Al Ettifaq at the Al Ettifaq Club Stadium on 25 August 2026, the matchweek 3 fixture. The 41-year-old is fit and training with the first team and is due to make an appearance in the game, with reports stating he could start or, if not named in the XI, will come off the bench.
Both clubs arrive in Dammam on the back of positive domestic results early in the 2026-27 season. Al Nassr, managed by Ange Postecoglou, opened with a 3-0 win over Al Fateh, progressed in the Saudi King’s Cup with a 4-1 victory over Al Diriyah to reach the round-of-16, and most recently beat Al Riyadh 4-0. Al Ettifaq have recorded a 4-2 win against Al Riyadh and a 1-0 victory against Al Fateh but were eliminated from the Saudi King’s Cup after a 0-1 loss to Al Jabalain.
Al Ettifaq, nicknamed The Commandos in the preview, will host the fixture after their two league wins and the cup exit that followed their 0-1 defeat to Al Jabalain. The club’s recent domestic results are the primary basis for their position going into matchweek 3.
Al Nassr’s recent run includes three wins across league and cup play: 3-0 over Al Fateh, 4-1 over Al Diriyah in the King’s Cup, and the 4-0 victory against Al Riyadh in which Cristiano Ronaldo made his first appearance of the 2026-27 season. Ronaldo came off the bench to score the final goal in that 4-0 win.
Regarding Ronaldo’s status, the report states he is fit and training with the first team and will make an appearance during the Al Ettifaq vs Al Nassr Saudi Pro League 2026-27 match. Even if CR7 is not named in the playing XI, he will make an appearance off the bench for sure. Yes, CR7 is fully fit and training with the first team. He will most likely start for the Big Yellow.
Ronaldo is also noted to be close to the 1,000-goal mark; he currently sits at 977 goals, with his last strike coming against Al Riyadh in the Saudi league. Cristiano taking Dammam to new heights 🚀🐐 pic.twitter.com/XlgSjTLDco
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Ronaldo’s expected appearance will come in Al Nassr’s matchweek 3 Saudi Pro League fixture at the Al Ettifaq Club Stadium, a fixture that follows both teams’ opening rounds of league and cup matches in the 2026-27 season.