Over two years into his stint at Al Nassr, Cristiano Ronaldo has the chance to win a first Saudi Arabian trophy as his side take on Al Ahli in the Saudi Super Cup final.
Since joining in December 2022, Ronaldo's sole piece of silverware with Al Nassr was the 2023 Arab Club Champions Cup, which has not always been recognised by FIFA as an official tournament. He has yet to get his hands on any Saudi trophy, coming closest in the Super Cup last year as they fell 4-1 in the final to Al Hilal.
This time around in Hong Kong, after hanging on to beat Al Ittihad 2-1 in the semifinal, they have another chance to secure the title against a side who finished three points behind them in the Pro League last season.
Al Ahli were not originally meant to take part in this year's competition, but they were a late addition after Al Hilal withdrew citing exhaustion from their participation in the FIFA Club World Cup earlier this summer. As a result, last year's fifth-place league finishers were called in, while Al Hilal were banned from participating for the next two editions of the competition.
Al Nassr vs. Al Ahli lineups: Predicted starting XI, team news, injuries
Al Nassr moved for a trio of European stars during this transfer window, signing Joao Felix from Chelsea, defender Inigo Martinez from Barcelona, and Kingsley Coman from Bayern Munich.
All three should start as they did last match, with semifinal hero Joao Felix alongside Coman teaming up with Ronaldo up front.
The one open spot will be that of Sadio Mane, who is suspended for this match after his red card in the semifinal. Top candidates to come in are Wesley or Abdulrahman Ghareeb, both of whom are naturally left-sided.
Al Nassr predicted starting XI (4-2-3-1, right to left): Bento (GK) — Boushail, Simakan, Martinez, Yahya — Al-Khaibari, Brozovic — Coman, Joao Felix, Wesley — Ronaldo
Injured: None
Suspended: Mane (red card)
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Al Ahly are led by a number of former European superstars sprinkled throughout the squad. At the head of the attack is former Brentford striker Ivan Toney, who is supported in the final third by Riyad Mahrez. In midfield is Frank Kessie, formerly of Barcelona and AC Milan, while ex-Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy is in net.
Featured in the heart of defence is a partnership between Turkey star Merih Demiral and Brazil international Roger Ibanez.
The club added young PSV breakout left-back Matteo Dams this summer, while France youth international Enzo Millot was also brought aboard.
Al Ahli predicted starting XI (4-2-3-1, right to left): Mendy (GK) — Abdulrahman, Demiral, Ibanez, Dams — Kessie, Millot — Mahrez, Al Buraikan, Galeno — Toney
Injured: None
Suspended: None
Al Nassr vs. Al Ahli match details
- Date: Saturday, August 23, 2025
- Kickoff Time: 9 p.m. local / 8 a.m. ET / 5 a.m. PT / 1 p.m. BST / 5:30 p.m. IST / 10 p.m. AEST
- Location: Hong Kong Stadium (Causeway Bay, Hong Kong)
- Last meeting: Al Ahli 2-3 Al Nassr (Feb. 13, 2025 | Saudi Pro League)
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