Al Nassr began the defence of their Saudi Pro League crown in the way champions are supposed to: efficiently, and without needing their biggest name on the pitch. Cristiano Ronaldo sat in the stands with his family as his teammates beat Al Fateh 3-0 in the season opener, a result that also marked the 300th league win in Al Nassr’s history.

Angelo Gabriel and Joao Felix scored in the first half to put the result beyond doubt early, before Samu Costa added a third in the 73rd minute to close out the win. It was a statement of squad depth for a team that will be expected to challenge on every front this season, Ronaldo or no Ronaldo on the team sheet.

Why Ronaldo Was Missing From the Starting XI

Ronaldo’s absence from the matchday squad was not a tactical decision so much as a scheduling reality. The Portuguese forward only recently returned to full training following his participation at the World Cup in North America this summer, and his subsequent marriage to long-term partner Georgina Rodriguez in Portugal.

That combination of a long international tournament and a major life event left Ronaldo short of match sharpness heading into the new campaign, and Al Nassr manager Ange Postecoglou opted against rushing his talisman back into a competitive fixture. Even from the stands, though, Ronaldo’s presence was felt.

“Cristiano is here today, and he is always present with us,” Postecoglou said in his post-match press conference.

Costa Dedicates Milestone Win to Ronaldo and Squad

Samu Costa, who capped the scoring with his 73rd minute strike, used his post-match comments to credit the collective effort behind the win, and specifically named Ronaldo despite the forward’s absence from the pitch.

“A good start. We worked hard and deserved the three points. I dedicate the victory to my family, my teammates, and Cristiano Ronaldo,” Costa said.

Costa arrives into the new Saudi Pro League season on the back of a World Cup campaign with Portugal, where the squad reached the round of 16 before losing 1-0 to eventual champions Spain. That tournament experience was visible in his composure on the ball against Al Fateh, and his goal underlined the kind of squad depth Postecoglou now has at his disposal beyond the headline names.

Postecoglou’s Second Season Test Begins

The result carries added significance for Postecoglou, who is entering his second season in charge after guiding Al Nassr to the league title last time out. Following up a championship-winning debut campaign is one of the more difficult assignments in football, and the former Tottenham Hotspur manager knows the margins for error will be smaller this season.

Speaking after the win, Postecoglou struck a measured tone, pointing to squad management as the priority ahead of a congested opening stretch of fixtures.

Ronaldo Hat-Trick 💥 Al Nassr vs Al Fateh 5-1 – All Goals & Highlights – 2026

“The most important thing now is recovery, especially as we have only two days after this match, and afterwards we will determine the decision on the players’ participation according to their readiness,” Postecoglou said

He also praised the depth of the squad that took to the field without several key names.

“As I said before the match, we have a strong team, and there are important players who did not take part today. But what matters to me is that all the players who did take part, whether they started the match or came on during it, delivered a wonderful performance,” he said.

Al Hilal Also Win, But Neves Flags Second-Half Dip

Al Nassr were not the only Riyadh giant to open the Saudi Pro League season with a win. Al Hilal beat newly promoted Al Faisaly 4-2 earlier in the round, with Ruben Neves scoring twice and collecting the player of the match award for his performance.

Despite the individual honour and the result, Neves was candid in his assessment of Al Hilal’s second-half display, a sign of the standards now expected at the top of the Saudi Pro League.

“First 45 minutes, we just controlled all the game,” Neves said. “Second half, we dropped a little bit the quality, we dropped a little bit the focus, and, in this league, it’s not allowed any more to go down and to drop in these statistics.

“We need to improve. We cannot concede two goals playing at home, winning 3-0, controlling all the game.”

Neves’ comments reflect a broader shift in the competitive standard of the Saudi Pro League, where squads built around World Cup-calibre talent are now expected to see out matches with the same control shown by Europe’s top leagues, not just win them.

What This Means for the Title Race

Two matchweek-one wins for Al Nassr and Al Hilal set an early tone for what is expected to be one of the most competitive Saudi Pro League seasons yet. With Ronaldo working his way back to full fitness and Postecoglou managing rotation carefully across a squad now 300 league wins deep in club history, Al Nassr have shown they do not need to lean on their record scorer to collect points early in the campaign.

For Al Hilal, the result offers early reassurance in attack, but Neves’ own admission of a second-half lapse suggests defensive consistency will be an area under close watch as the season develops. Both Riyadh clubs will be back in action as the Saudi Pro League calendar intensifies, with Ronaldo’s return to the matchday squad likely to be one of the most closely followed storylines of the opening weeks.

FAQ

Did Cristiano Ronaldo play for Al Nassr in the season opener against Al Fateh?
No. Ronaldo watched the match from the stands with his family. He had only recently returned to training after the World Cup in North America and his marriage to Georgina Rodriguez, so he was not included in the matchday squad.

What was the final score between Al Nassr and Al Fateh?
Al Nassr won 3-0. Angelo Gabriel and Joao Felix scored in the first half, and Samu Costa added a third goal in the 73rd minute.

Why was Al Nassr’s win against Al Fateh significant for the club’s history?
The victory was Al Nassr’s 300th win in Saudi Pro League history, a milestone reached in the opening match of their title defence season under manager Ange Postecoglou.

How did Al Hilal perform in their season opener?
Al Hilal beat newly promoted Al Faisaly 4-2. Ruben Neves scored twice and was named player of the match, though he criticised the team’s second-half performance despite the win.

Who is Al Nassr’s manager and what pressure is he under this season?
Ange Postecoglou, the former Tottenham Hotspur manager, leads Al Nassr into his second season in charge after winning the Saudi Pro League title last season. Following up a title-winning debut campaign puts him under increased scrutiny to maintain that standard.