Cristiano Ronaldo begins final fitness push as Al Nassr comeback draws near

Cristiano Ronaldo is moving closer to a return for Al Nassr after the club’s fitness staff began preparing him for competitive action following more than a month away from the team.

The Portugal captain returned to Al Nassr training last week, having been absent since Portugal’s departure from the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico. He has not featured in either of the club’s first two matches of the new season.

According to Saudi newspaper Al Riyadiya, Al Nassr’s fitness coach is overseeing a programme designed to restore Ronaldo to full match readiness. The 40-year-old will complete a 90-minute conditioning session on Tuesday afternoon at the Dar Al Nassr centre in Riyadh as he continues his preparations.

Ronaldo was unavailable for Al Nassr’s opening Roshn Saudi League fixture, a 3-0 victory over Al Fateh on Saturday. He is also expected to miss Tuesday’s meeting with Al-Diriyah in the last 32 of the King’s Cup.

The next potential opportunity for Ronaldo to return will come on Friday, when Al Nassr face city rivals Al Riyadh in the second round of the Roshn Saudi League. The match will be played at Al Riyadh’s stadium and could mark the forward’s first appearance of the campaign.

The report said Ronaldo had not lost a significant amount of his physical condition during his absence from Al Nassr training. That has increased the possibility of an earlier return, with the player now following an individually tailored fitness plan.

His availability would provide a major boost for Al Nassr as they continue their domestic campaign. Ronaldo captained the club to the Roshn Saudi League title last season, ending a seven-year wait for the championship.

The Portugal international is also hoping to help Al Nassr win the AFC Champions League Elite for the first time in the club’s history. His return is therefore being closely monitored as the Saudi side balances its league and cup commitments with its ambitions in continental competition.

For now, Ronaldo’s workload remains focused on fitness rather than competitive football. Tuesday’s 90-minute session is intended to take him another step towards a return, with Friday’s fixture against Al Riyadh emerging as the earliest possible date for his involvement.