Football fans in Saudi Arabia are anxiously waiting to see if Cristiano Ronaldo will take the field for Al-Nassr’s Saudi Pro League match against Al-Khaleej on Monday (May 8). According to Arab sports newspaper Ariyadhiah, the Portuguese forward may miss the game due to muscle fatigue. The 38-year-old did not train with the first team on Saturday (May 6) and will undergo a medical examination on Sunday to determine whether he is fit to play. Al-Nassr, who are currently in second place, are hoping to close the gap on league leaders Al-Ittihad, but they cannot afford to drop points in their remaining five games.
Ronaldo joined Al-Nassr in December 2020, signing a two-and-a-half-year deal with the club. He has made 15 appearances across all competitions, scoring 12 goals and providing two assists. Despite being in his late 30s, Ronaldo covers more distance on average than any of his teammates during games and training. However, concerns have been raised about his fitness ahead of the clash against Al-Khaleej. Al-Nassr’s technical staff have reportedly developed a special program for him, and the club will make a decision on his availability after his medical examination.
Ronaldo’s move to Al-Nassr made him the highest-paid player in the world, with reports suggesting that he earns £175 million a year. However, his time in Saudi Arabia has not been as successful as he might have hoped. When he joined the club, they were top of the league, but they have since fallen three points behind Al-Ittihad. They have also been knocked out of both domestic cup competitions.
There have been rumours that Ronaldo is unhappy in Saudi Arabia and could be looking to leave the club. Reports suggest that he and his partner Georgina Rodriguez are considering a return to Spain, with a possible move to Real Madrid being mooted. Some fans believe that he could also return to the Premier League with Newcastle United, who are owned by a consortium led by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund.
Despite the speculation about his future, Ronaldo remains committed to Al-Nassr and is determined to help them win the league title. If he is fit to play on Monday, he will be hoping to add to his impressive goal tally and help his team close the gap on Al-Ittihad. Football fans around the world will be watching closely to see if the five-time Ballon d’Or winner takes the field in what could be a crucial game for Al-Nassr’s title hopes.
