Cristiano Ronaldo absent for all three Al Nassr training camps before season opener

Cristiano Ronaldo has missed Al Nassr training for a 32nd consecutive day as his extended break following Portugal’s 2026 World Cup campaign continues, with the new season now only a week away.

Al Nassr are due to resume training in Riyadh on Friday after returning from their overseas camp in Lisbon, according to Saudi newspaper Al Riyadiah. Ronaldo is expected to remain absent as his holiday, which began after the World Cup, continues beyond the date on which he was expected to report back.

The Portugal captain’s last appearance came on 6 July, when his side were beaten 1-0 by Spain in the last 16 of the 2026 World Cup. Ronaldo then began a period of leave which has now lasted more than a month.

It had been widely expected that the forward would return to Al Nassr after the legal 21-day period allowed for players following their departure from the World Cup. However, he did not rejoin the squad during that period and was also missing from the club’s overseas training camp, which ended on Wednesday.

His continued absence in Riyadh means Ronaldo has missed every Al Nassr training session held during the club’s preparations across three cities. The team’s camps have taken place in Riyadh, Abha and Lisbon, but the 41-year-old has not joined the squad in any of those locations.

Al Nassr’s first competitive match of the new campaign is scheduled for 15 August, when they will host Al Fateh in the opening round of the Roshn Saudi League. That fixture is now only seven days away.

Ronaldo will be central to Al Nassr’s ambitions as they attempt to retain the Saudi league title they won last season, ending a seven-year wait for the championship. The club will also seek to win the AFC Champions League Elite for the first time in its history.

The forward has been Al Nassr’s captain and leading figure since joining the Saudi club, but the team have completed their preparations without him so far. His absence has therefore extended through the full length of the club’s camps and into the final week before the league season begins.

Al Nassr’s return to Riyadh marks the first time the squad have trained in the Saudi capital since coming back from Lisbon. Ronaldo, however, remains on leave and has yet to take part in the club’s preparations for the opening fixture.

The club’s campaign begins against Al Fateh, while their wider objectives are to defend the league crown and make history in the continental competition. For now, the main uncertainty concerns when Ronaldo will end his absence and return to training with Al Nassr.