Cristiano Ronaldo has the chance to claim his first major trophy after moving to Saudi Arabia when Al-Nassr host Al-Hilal in a crunch meeting at the top of the Pro League tomorrow night.
Ronaldo has seen previous opportunities to win silverware in the Kingdom come and go and he only has the 2023 Arab Club Champions Cup to show for three and a half years at the Riyadh giants.
That would change tomorrow if Al-Nassr can edge out city rivals and closest challengers Al-Hilal.
Victory would move Ronaldo and Co eight points clear with Al-Hilal having just two games to play. If the title and local supremacy weren’t enough to give spice to this fixture, it also carries personal significance to Ronaldo.
The Portugal star was deeply unhappy at Al-Hilal’s capture of Karim Benzema in early February, accusing Al-Nassr owners the Saudi Public Investment Fund of a lack of interest and demonstrating his unhappiness by going AWOL for two games.
It did little to halt Al-Nassr’s progress and they seemed to be cruising to the title before a stunning 3-1 defeat to Brendan Rodgers’ Al-Qadsiah earlier this month.
They bounced back with a 4-2 victory at Al-Shabab on Thursday night to keep their noses in front.
Al-Hilal’s form has been equally impressive. Unbeaten in the Pro League since April 4, 2025, when they lost to Al-Nassr, their challenge has been stunted by too many draws, although that did not prevent them from winning the King’s Cup on Friday courtesy of a 2-1 defeat of Al-Kholood.
Boss Simone Inzaghi has been questioned for what some fans perceive to be a defensive approach but a squad possessing the likes of Benzema, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, Ruben Neves and Malcolm has the quality to dent Ronaldo’s dreams.
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Team news for Al-Nassr v Al-Hilal
Al-Nassr are hopeful Kingsley Coman will be passed fit while Angelo is also a doubt. Mubarak Al-Buainain, Raghed Najjar and Sami Al-Najei are long-term absentees.
Theo Hernandez has been passed fit for Al-Hilal but Kalidou Koulibaly is almost certain to miss out.
Predicted line-ups for Al-Nassr v Al-Hilal
Al-Nassr: Bento; Yahya, Martinez, Al-Amri, Al-Ghanam; Mane, Brozovic, Al-Khaibari, Coman; Ronaldo, Felix
Al-Hilal: Bono; Al-Harbi, Akcicek, Tambakti, Hernandez; Milinkovic-Savic, Kanno, Neves, Al-Dawsari; Malcom, Benzema
Where to watch Al-Nassr v Al-Hilal: TV and online streams
Al-Nassr versus Al-Hilal kicks off tomorrow at 7pm UK time.
The game is not available on UK TV but can be streamed via the official Pro League YouTube channel.
Stats for Al-Nassr v Al-Hilal
- Al-Hilal have won a record 19 Pro League titles
- Al-Nassr have won the Pro League title 10 times but not since 2019
- Al-Hilal won the reverse fixture 3-1 in January
- Al-Hilal have won 14 of their previous 29 league meetings
- Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 100th Pro League goal in the win at Al-Shabab
Prediction for Al-Nassr v Al-Hilal
A tough one to predict. It seems there is a definite will locally for Ronaldo to win the league but Al-Hilal’s unbeaten record shows they must not be underestimated.
A draw is a good result for Al-Nassr as it keeps the title race in their hands. Inzaghi has to release the handbrake at some stage and it may be a frantic finish if Al-Hilal are not in front.
Prediction: Al-Nassr 2-2 Al-Hilal
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