Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr dealt blow as 3 first-team players set to miss clash against Al-Akhdoud: Reports

Al-Nassr and Cristiano Ronaldo will not have three first-team players available for their Saudi Pro League clash against Al-Akhdoud, as per reports. The Knights of Najd are currently sitting in fourth place on the Saudi Pro League table, with seven wins in 13 games so far.

Following their mid-season break in December, they are set to return to the pitch when they face Al-Akhdoud on January 9. The two sides will clash at the Al-Awwal Park, where Nassr will look to build momentum by taking all three points.

However, their hopes for a win have been dented by injuries and suspension. According to a report from Saudi sports journalist Abdulaziz Al-Asimi on X, midfielder Marcelo Brozovic, winger Ayman Yahya and defensive midfielder Abdullah Al-Khaibari will be unavailable.

Brozovic has been an important part of the squad this season, playing 18 games across all competitions, scoring one goal. Yahya has also scored one goal, but in eight games. Al-Khaibari has been a more consistent part of the starting lineup, playing 21 games so far.

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Cristiano Ronaldo could leave Al-Nassr in 2025

Cristiano Ronaldo could potentially leave Al-Nassr in 2025, according to reports from Spanish outlet Marca (via GOAL). The 39-year-old legendary striker has not reduced in his goalscoring abilities, finding the net 10 times in 12 Saudi Pro League games this season.

However, Al-Nassr have been unable to compete consistently for titles and trophies, leading to some disillusionment in Cristiano Ronaldo's camp. The report claims that the Portugal captain is open to "embracing a new project", while a potential exit from the Saudi giants "can't be ruled out".

Indeed, since joining the club two years ago, in January 2023, Ronaldo has only lifted the Arab Club Champions Cup. Clubs like Al-Hilal have dominated the Gulf landscape, beating Al-Nassr to every available trophy in the Middle Eastern kingdom.

Last year, the legend spoke about his plans for retirement, admitting that concluding his career with the Knights of Najd would not be far-fetched. In a conversation with Portuguese TV channel Now, he said (via Eurosport):

"I don't know if I will retire soon, in two or three years, but probably I will retire here at Al-Nassr. I'm happy at this club, I feel good in this country too. I'm happy to play in Saudi Arabia and I want to continue."

Cristiano Ronaldo still plays for Portugal, and he has revealed that his international retirement could happen suddenly:

"When I leave the national team, I won't tell anyone in advance and it will be a very spontaneous decision on my part, but also a very well thought-out one."

The legendary striker has scored 135 goals in 215 caps for his country, and it looks likely that he will lead them to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.