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Cristiano Ronaldo and his Al-Nassr teammates are reportedly set to face fellow Saudi top-flight outfit Al-Riyadh in a friendly game during their winter break. The Saudi Pro League has gone on recess for the remainder of the year and will only resume in January for the second part of the 2024-25 season.
Al-Nassr have finished in second place in each of the last two seasons despite the addition of Cristiano Ronaldo to their squad, finishing behind Al-Ittihad and Al-Hilal. This season, the Knights of Najd are in fourth place, 11 points behind Al-Ittihad, after 13 rounds of matches in the league.
Stefano Pioli's side suffered a 2-1 defeat to leaders Al-Ittihad in their last game before the break, with Cristiano Ronaldo's goal failing to save them from defeat. To respond to their dire performances that have seen them fall far behind in the title race, Pioli has reportedly decided for his side to face Al-Riyadh. Club sources on X report (via Al Nassr Zone) that the friendly will take place on December 11.
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Al-Riyadh and Al-Nassr have met once this season, back in November, in the Saudi Pro League. Pioli's side picked up all three points on the occasion following a 1-0 win, with Sadio Mane scoring the game's only goal. Al-Riyadh are seventh in the league on 21 points, four points behind Al-Nassr, and will provide a good test for them.
Al-Nassr may be staring at another trophyless campaign, having been knocked out of the King Cup of Champions by Al-Taawoun. With their place in the knockout rounds of the AFC Champions League secured, they will be keen to go all the way in the competition.
Cristiano Ronaldo's participation in the friendly is in doubt. The manager gave him the day off when the side faced Al-Sadd in a dead-rubber AFC Champions League tie last week. The 39-year-old is unlikely to feature in the friendly against Al-Riyadh as well.
Al-Nassr star Cristiano Ronaldo misses out on 2024 FIFPro World XI
Cristiano Ronaldo has been left out of the 2024 FIFPro World XI. The Portugal international had been included among the original 26-man nominee list for the annual honor alongside fellow veterans Lionel Messi and Manuel Neuer.
Despite becoming the first male footballer to reach 900 career goals in 2024, the 39-year-old failed to receive enough votes to make the XI. He was left out of the forward line, which comprised Erling Haaland, Vinicius Jr, and Kylian Mbappe.
A five-time Ballon d'Or winner, Cristiano Ronaldo made the FIFPro World XI for 15 straight years, starting from 2007 until 2021. The former Real Madrid man has, however, been overlooked for the honor in each of the three editions since then.
