Al-Nassr secured a dominant 4-0 victory over Al-Riyadh in the Saudi Pro League, a match highlighted by the return of Cristiano Ronaldo and another standout performance from forward Joao Felix. The 41-year-old Ronaldo, who had been sidelined following an extended summer break after the FIFA World Cup, made his first appearance of the 2026-27 season by coming off the bench in the 62nd minute to replace Abdullah Al-Hamdan.
Ronaldo made an immediate impact, netting his 977th career goal in the 83rd minute. The veteran forward latched onto a low cross from Ayman Yahya, executing a sharp swivel and finish into the far corner to cap off the scoring. The win maintains Al-Nassr’s strong start to the campaign, following two consecutive victories to open the season.
The Knights of Najd took control early, with Abdulelah Al-Amri opening the scoring in the 18th minute. Angelo Gabriel extended the lead in first-half stoppage time, marking his second goal in as many games. Joao Felix then added the third goal in the 58th minute, bringing his personal tally to four goals and one assist in just three appearances this season.
Fans were quick to laud the 26-year-old Felix on social media, with many suggesting his current level of play is superior to the league’s standard. Supporters labeled the match the “Joao Felix show,” with one fan even describing him as the best player in the history of the league. Others noted that he is “too good for the Saudi League,” highlighting his consistency after winning the 2025-26 Player of the Season award.
Beyond his goal, Felix’s influence was evident throughout the match as he recorded the highest number of shots, created two scoring chances, and drew two fouls. Supporters also pointed out his chemistry with Ronaldo, noting that the forward is doing everything possible to support his teammate on the pitch.
The team’s success comes after a period of adjustment for manager Ange Postecoglou, who had been without Ronaldo since the start of the campaign. With the Portuguese star now back in the fold and Felix maintaining his high-level form, Al-Nassr appears well-positioned to defend their status as reigning Saudi Pro League champions. The report also notes that with the Portugal international having only just resumed training days before the season began, ange Postecoglou’s side have been without him since they began the campaign. The report also notes that and they took the lead after 18 minutes through Abdulelah Al-Amri, al-Nassr came into the game on the back of back-to-back wins to start the season.
