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Cristiano Ronaldo is expected to start when Al-Nassr play host to Al Hilal in the Saudi Pro League on Friday, May 17. The title race between the two sides ended last weekend as Al Hilal secured their 19th league title.
Al-Nassr, meanwhile, come into the game on the back of a 3-2 victory over Al-Okhdood away from home. Ronaldo was one of the goalscorers on that occasion, with Marcelo Brozovic netting a brace.
There has been an eight-day gap between the last game which should have given Cristiano Ronaldo plenty of time to recover, having played the full 90 minutes against Al-Okhdood.
Ronaldo should therefore start and lead his side's attack against Al-Hilal. The five-time Ballon d'Or winner could be partnered alongside the likes of Sadio Mane Ayman Yahya to form a three-man attack.
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Cristiano Ronaldo has been his side's standout player this season. Despite turning 39 earlier this year, the former Manchester United forward continues to score at an impressive rate.
As things stand, Ronaldo has scored 42 goals and provided 12 assists from 41 matches across competitions. This includes a tally of 33 goals and 10 assists from just 28 games in the Saudi Pro League.
Al-Nassr and Cristiano Ronaldo have not had the best of times against Al Hilal this season
Al-Nassr will face Al Hilal for a third time this season when the two teams lock horns on Friday. However, the previous two encounters have all gone in Al-Hilal's favor.
Al Hilal registered a convincing 3-0 victory over their title rivals in early December. Sergej Milinkovic-Savic scored a goal while Aleksandar Mitrovic netted a brace to secure all three points for Al Hilal.
The two sides would meet again in the semifinals of the Saudi Super Cup last month. Al-Nassr once again ended up being on the losing side as they suffered a 2-1 defeat.
Cristiano Ronaldo himself had a poor outing in the semifinal. Not only did he not get on the scoresheet, the Portugal superstar received a straight red card in the 86th minute for elbowing Ali Al-Bulayhi.
Ronaldo has faced Al Hilal thrice during his time in Saudi Arabia, suffering defeats on all three occasions and yet to score a goal.
It is also worth mentioning that Al-Nassr and Al Hilal will face each other later this month in the final of the 2024 King's Cup.
