Saudi Pro League giants Al Nassr wrap up their preseason visit to Cristiano Ronaldo’s home country as they take on Liga Portugal side Rio Ave in a friendly from Algarve on Thursday.
It’s been a rocky summer for Ronaldo, who reportedly considered a short-term loan to participate in the Club World Cup but ultimately decided against it.
Al Nassr’s preseason started well with a win over French side Toulouse in Austria last week, but got a rude welcome to Portugal as they were beaten in a closed-door friendly by lower-league minnows Estrela da Amadora on the weekend despite the debut of Joao Felix.
With their first competitive fixture of the 2025/26 season fast approaching on August 19, Al Nassr will be keen to get their sea legs under them before the campaign begins in earnest.
The Sporting News runs through the latest team news and injury updates for both sides as the match draws nearer.
Al Nassr vs. Rio Ave lineups, expected starting 11, team news, injuries
The big arrival this summer for Al Nassr is Cristiano Ronaldo‘s international teammate Joao Felix, who joined on a €30 million move from Chelsea. The 25-year-old is a versatile forward, and it remains to be seen where he fits in to the rest of the Al Nassr attack that boasts Sadio Mane, Otavio, Wesley, young Angelo Gabriel, and Abdulrahman Ghareeb. However, with the losses of Jhon Duran and Anderson Talisca over the last two years, there was room for another addition.
There is also the loss of dependable center-back Ali Lajami to contend with, as the 29-year-old Saudi international joined rivals Al Hilal this offseason, but Al Nassr are secure at center-back between Aymeric Laporte, Abdulelah Al Amri, and other options.
Al Nassr predicted XI (4-2-3-1, right to left): Bento (GK) — Al Ghanam, Laporte, Al Amri, Al Boushal — Brozovic, Al Hassan — Ghareeb, Felix, Mane — Ronaldo.
Injured: None.
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Rio Ave have retained much of their squad core from last season, losing only backup defender Miguel Nobrega to a free transfer. They retained loanee Clayton by making his deal permanent to the tune of €3 million, while defender Jonathan Panzo joined from Nottingham Forest on a free.
They did, however, suffer a blow as captain Vitor Gomes retired, forcing the club to swoop for young defensive midfielder Theofanis Bakoulas from Olympiacos to fill the gap on the pitch.
There are few truly recognizable names in the Rio Ave squad, although CONCACAF fans will know Costa Rican international Brandon Aguilera who earned his way into a regular spot in the lineup last season.
Rio Ave predicted XI (4-1-4-1, right to left): Miszta (GK) — Tome, Ntoi, Petrasso, Pedro — Bakoulas — Luiz, Aguilera, Bakoulas, Morais — Clayton.
Injured: None.
