Cristiano Ronaldo’s absence from Al-Nassr’s lineup against Jeddah in the King Cup left fans buzzing with speculation. The superstar was bench for the full 90 minutes at the Prince Abdullah AlFaisal Sports City Stadium, sparking concerns about a possible injury.
No Injury Reports for Ronaldo
Despite the worries, there has been no official word suggesting Ronaldo is unfit or sidelined due to injury. So why did Al-Nassr’s coach Jorge Jesus decide to keep him out of the match?
Strategic Rest Ahead of FIFA World Cup 2026
The most likely explanation is workload management. At 40 years old, Ronaldo is approaching the final stages of his illustrious career, and with the FIFA World Cup 2026 less than nine months away, the coach may be prioritizing his fitness. Given that Jeddah is a lower-tier team, resting Ronaldo was a tactical decision that proved harmless, as Al-Nassr cruised to a 4-0 victory and secured a spot in the tournament’s last 16. Fans will be eager to see if Ronaldo returns for the next fixture on September 26 against Al Ittihad.
Ronaldo’s Incredible Legacy
Since joining Al-Nassr in 2023, Ronaldo has netted 77 goals in 80 appearances. Internationally, he holds the record for the most goals in football history, scoring 141 in 223 matches. The upcoming World Cup in 2026 will mark his sixth and likely final appearance, and although he has yet to lift the trophy, he led Portugal to a European Championship win in 2016.
Ronaldo’s closest brush with World Cup glory was in 2006 when Portugal reached the semifinals. Whether May 2026 will finally see him end his career on the ultimate high remains to be seen—but fans around the world will be watching closely.