Cristiano Ronaldo leads Al Nassr returnees for Riyadh derby against Al-Diriyah

Al Nassr will welcome back several key players for Friday’s Riyadh derby against Al-Diriyah in the Roshn Saudi League, with Cristiano Ronaldo, Joao Felix and Kingsley Coman included in the squad, according to Saudi journalist Abdulaziz Al-Osaimi.

The two sides will meet at Al-Awwal Park in Riyadh in the eighth round of the competition. Australian manager Ange Postecoglou has placed Ronaldo, Felix and French winger Coman among his main selections for the fixture.

French defender Mohamed Simakan is also available after recovering from a muscle strain suffered earlier this week. His return provides Al Nassr with another defensive option as the club prepares for the local derby.

Al-Osaimi confirmed the squad news in a post on his personal account on X on 8 October 2026.

“Mohamed Simakan is fit, while Ayman Yahya returns. Abdulrahman Ghareeb and Abdullah Al-Amri are absent from the squad. Cristiano Ronaldo is the first to be present, alongside Coman and Joao,” he wrote.

Simakan is not the only player to have recovered in time for the match. Saudi midfielder Ayman Yahya has also returned after overcoming the injury that had kept him out during the previous period.

However, Abdullah Al-Amri will miss the game after suffering from fatigue. The defender has been affected by his involvement with the Saudi Arabia national team at the 27th edition of the Gulf Arab Cup, known as Gulf Cup 27.

Saudi Arabia won that tournament, but Al-Amri’s workload has meant he will not be available to Postecoglou against Al-Diriyah.

The coach will also be without another Saudi player, winger Abdulrahman Ghareeb, who has not been included in the squad for the derby. The absences leave Al Nassr without two of their Saudi international players despite the return of Simakan and Yahya.

Al Nassr go into the match third in the Roshn Saudi League standings with 16 points. Their record consists of five victories, one draw and one defeat.

They are two points behind leaders Al Hilal and one point adrift of second-placed Al-Ittihad. A victory against Al-Diriyah would give Al Nassr the opportunity to strengthen their position near the top of the table.