"You need to win", "Going to do his magic" - Fans react as Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr name XI to face rivals AL-Hilal in SPL clash

Fans have urged Cristiano Ronaldo and Al-Nassr to end Al-Hilal's unbeaten run in tonight's (May 17) Saudi Pro League game between the two rivals. Ronaldo has been named in Luis Castro's starting lineup at Al-Awwal Park.

Ronaldo, 39, leads Al-Alami's attack, with Sadio Mane and Saudi Arabian winger Ayman Yahya on the flanks. Marcelo Brozovic and Otavio sit in front of Saudi holding midfielder Abdullah Al-Khaibari.

Sultan Al-Ghannam, Ali Lajami, Aymeric Laporte, and Alex Telles are in defense. David Ospina starts in goal for the hosts who are playing for pride having missed out on the title.

Al-Hilal romped to the title with 29 wins from 31 games, an incredible unbeaten season. They have beaten their title rivals Al-Nassr twice across competitions this season.

Jorge Jesus' champions prevailed in the reverse fixture at King Fahd International Stadium in December. They blew Castro's men away with a 3-0 victory and also knocked Cristiano Ronaldo and his team out of the Saudi Super Cup last month.

Al-Nassr will end the season trophyless and are expected to undergo a rebuild in the summer. Several players' futures are reportedly uncertain including Laporte who only arrived in August 2023.

Fans have urged Al-Alami to get one over their rivals with one telling them:

"You need to win."

Another fan tipped Ronaldo to shine and add to the 42 goals he's managed in 41 games across competitions:

"He's going to do his magic."

More fans on X (formerly Twitter) wished Al-Nassr well for their clash with their rivals. One fan wrote:

"Best of luck team."

Another fan expects either Ronaldo to come to the fore or a royal rumble of sorts:

"Saudi Arabia Al Hilal/ Al Nassr Over 3½ -110. Al Hilal won league already but big egos. Al Nassr and Ronaldo typical primetime trying to prove a point. Both with full XI. Either WWE or Goals. Good Luck."

One fan predicted the scoreline and backed the five-time Ballon d'Or to cause mayhem:

"3-1 Ronaldo brace."

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William Gallas advised Al-Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo against a return to Europe

Cristiano Ronaldo left European football last year.

Former Chelsea star William Gallas has explained why Cristiano Ronaldo and his longtime teammate Lionel Messi, 36, shouldn't return to Europe. The Frenchman told Genting Casino that they are best off in their respective leagues:

“Where Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are playing at the moment is best for them. They wouldn't be able to compete in the top leagues, like the Premier League, Serie A, La Liga and Bundesliga. They are both nearly 40 years old, and they seem happy where they are."

Cristiano Ronaldo has a year left on his contract at Al-Nassr and appears to be loving life in the Middle East. He arrived at Al-Awwal Park in January 2023 after leaving Manchester United by mutually agreeing to terminate his contract two months earlier.

The five-time UEFA Champions League winner has been rolling back the years in Saudi Arabia. The Portugal captain has bagged 56 goals and 14 assists in 60 games. He insisted he wouldn't return to European football after leaving for the Saudi Pro League 18 months ago.