Cristiano Ronaldo remains on holiday as Al Nassr prepare for new Saudi Pro League season

Cristiano Ronaldo will continue to be absent from Al Nassr training after extending his summer break, with the new 2026-27 campaign due to begin in 10 days.

The Portugal captain did not join Al Nassr’s overseas training camp in Lisbon, which began on 19 July and ended on Tuesday. He was granted additional time off after completing his involvement at the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Al Nassr’s squad is scheduled to return to Riyadh on a private jet on Wednesday after spending more than two weeks in the Portuguese capital, according to Saudi newspaper Al-Riyadiya.

The players will be given only 24 hours off before reporting back for training on Friday at Al Nassr’s stadium in the Saudi capital. Ronaldo, however, will not be involved in that session as he completes the holiday he began after the World Cup.

Ronaldo’s final appearance at the tournament came on 6 July, when Portugal were beaten 1-0 by Spain in the last 16. His break has therefore lasted almost a month by the time Al Nassr resume their preparations in Riyadh.

The timing leaves the 41-year-old with limited time to prepare with his team-mates before Al Nassr open their Saudi Pro League title defence against Al Fateh on 15 August.

Al Nassr are seeking to retain the league crown they won last season, ending a seven-year wait for the title. Under Ronaldo’s leadership, the club are also targeting a first triumph in the AFC Champions League Elite.

Ronaldo joined Al Nassr in December 2022 and remains the central figure in the club’s ambitions domestically and in Asia. His extended absence means manager and team-mates will continue preparations without their captain until he returns from his post-World Cup rest.

The Lisbon camp provided Al Nassr with an opportunity to prepare for the new season while Ronaldo remained away from the squad. The team’s return to Saudi Arabia and the resumption of training on Friday will mark the next stage of those preparations, although the club will still be without their leading player.

With the opening fixture against Al Fateh approaching, Ronaldo’s eventual return will now leave him with a short period to regain full fitness and build an understanding with the squad before competitive action begins.