Their 2-0 win over Al Ittihad on Friday evening, their fourth victory in a row, reduced their early title contenders and their fast start to the Saudi Pro League season. In an encounter that was marketed as a battle of legends between Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema, Ronaldo was the one who took the centre stage, scoring one of the goals, and gave his team a statement win in Jeddah.
It was not a mere meeting of two football legends, but it also demonstrated the new additions to Al Nassr’s team. The last high-profile signings, such as Joao Felix, Kingsley Coman, and Inigo Martinez, have provided the team with firepower and depth. Now, under the strategic management of Portuguese coach Jorge Jesus, they have perfectly blended into the side to make Al Nassr a strong player both locally and on the continent.
In an interview with former Manchester United teammate Rio Ferdinand, Ronaldo stayed down to earth after the match despite the mounting excitement surrounding the club. When Ferdinand dubbed Al Nassr the main title contender, the 39-year-old striker reacted without any panic: “We are relaxed, and we take one game at a time.”
With the right combination of experience and attacking ability, Al Nassr is not only pursuing the Saudi Pro League title but also aiming to become a serious participant in the AFC Champions League. If their form at the beginning of the season is any indication, this might be a historic season for the Riyadh-based giants.
