When will Ronaldo make his Al-Nassr debut?

Karan Tejwani

• Updated: 9 Jan 2023 11:05 GMT
• 3 min read

Cristiano Ronaldo signed for Saudi Pro League club Al Nassr at the end of 2022 but has yet to turn out for his new team.

Ronaldo watched on from the sidelines as they overcame Al Ta'ee 2-0 on 6 January, with a brace from Talisca making the difference.

The Portugal star is said to have "melted" into the squad easily but has been unable to feature because of a suspension carried over from his time at Manchester United.

So, when can he make his debut for Al Nassr as fans in the country await a legendary bow from the five-time Ballon d’Or winner?

READ: Cristiano Ronaldo BANNED from making his Al Nassr debut

Ronaldo debut delayed

Ronaldo has been handed a two-game ban by the FA that carries into Saudia Arabian football, meaning he missed the match against Al Ta'ee and will also sit out an encounter against Al Shabab.

Al Nassr’s next home game after Thursday isn’t until 21 January against Al Ittifaq, and it is then that Ronaldo will make his first appearance.

He will actually turn out in Saudi Arabia before then, though. On 19 January, a team comprised of players from both Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr will tackle Paris Saint-Germain in a friendly match that will see Ronaldo and Lionel Messi renew their old rivalry. Due to the nature of this encounter, though, CR7 will not be appearing under the badge of his new club for a first time, as head coach Rudi Garcia was keen to stress.

“It’s not under Al-Nassr’s jersey,” Garcia confirmed. “It’s a mix between Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr.

“As coach of Al-Nassr, I can’t be happy with this match.

“For development, to see PSG, to see the great Parisian players, it’s actually a good thing. But we have a league match three days later. In terms of the scheduling, it could have been better thought out. But it’s not the end of the world."

Al Nassr are looking to win a first league title since 2019. They are currently on top of the league, one point clear of Al Shabab and will hope to continue that form, especially now that they’ve got Ronaldo in the side.

Ronaldo hasn’t played any football since Portugal’s World Cup exit against Morocco and has been training in Dubai and at Real Madrid’s squad.