World Cup News

After Al Nassr's last game, head coach Jorge Jesus explained that Cristiano Ronaldo's early exit to the locker room was due to star suffering from "stomach pains." Cristiano Ronaldo has been the cornerstone of Al Nassr’s recent surge, but his blistering goalscoring streak came to a halt Wednesday against Al Ettifaq. Following a uncharacteristically quiet performance from the club’s captain, head coach Jorge Jesus revealed that Ronaldo’s abrupt exit to the locker room was the result of “stomach pains” the forward had been battling since before kickoff. After returning from a hamstring injury in March, Ronaldo had been flawless, netting a brace against Al Najma and a clinical strike against Al Okhdood to keep Al Nassr’s title hopes alive. However, his impact against Al Ettifaq was far more subdued; despite registering seven shots, only two found the target, and he uncharacteristically squandered a golden opportunity in the 47th minute. Ronaldo was eventually subbed off in the 89th minute for Abdullah Al-Hamdan, but rather than joining his teammates on the bench, the Portuguese icon headed straight down the tunnel. While his departure initially sparked speculation regarding his frustration with the substitution, Jorge Jesus was quick to clear the air during his post-match press conference. When asked about his star player, the Portuguese manager admitted that Ronaldo was nearly omitted from the lineup entirely. “I considered leaving him out; he simply wasn’t in good shape,” Jesus said. “He was suffering from stomach pains and general fatigue. When I finally substituted him, he went straight to the dressing room and threw up.“ تبديلان إضافيان للنصر، وخروج كريستيانو رونالدو 🔄#النصر_الاتفاق | #دوري_روشن_السعودي pic.twitter.com/YfP5bPeLTg — رياضة ثمانية (@thmanyahsports) April 15, 2026 Jesus assured reporters that Ronaldo was recovering well after the match, explaining that his absence from the post-game celebrations following the 1-0 victory was simply because he was still indisposed. Although his scoring run has ended, the veteran striker is expected to be back in the selection for the club’s next fixture. One step closer to the SPL title Wednesday’s hard-fought victory moves Al Nassr within touching distance of the Saudi Pro League title. The club currently sits atop the table with 76 points through 29 matches, fueled by a staggering 15-game winning streak in league play. Al Hilal remains in second place with 68 points and a game in hand, but they now face a daunting eight-point mountain to climb. Riding the momentum of 17 consecutive wins across all competitions, Jorge Jesus reflected on the culture shift he has implemented in his debut season. “Al Nassr are not used to competing for titles, but now the players feel they are close to winning the league. I have won 24 titles, so I consider myself among the best coaches in the world. We have a great feeling and sense that we’re close to the title, but our focus now is to take it one match at a time,” he stated.

Cristiano Ronaldo is watching developments closely as Al-Nassr navigates an off-field controversy involving teammate Abdullah Al-Hamdan. Cristiano Ronaldo is watching developments closely as Al-Nassr navigates an off-field controversy involving teammate Abdullah Al-Hamdan. The club has received a favorable ruling in a dispute that has drawn attention across the Saudi Pro League, but the situation remains layered with uncertainty. The case, centered on Al-Hamdan’s transfer, has sparked debate about regulations and player rights. While a decision has been reached, the story is far from fully resolved. The issue began when Al-Hilal filed a formal complaint against Abdullah Al-Hamdan following his move to Al-Nassr during the winter transfer window. Al-Hilal argued that the striker had unilaterally terminated his contract without valid justification, describing the action as a breach of league regulations. Saudi newspaper Arriyadiyah indicated that Al-Hamdan informed Al-Hilal of his contract termination just days before its official expiration. This timing allowed him to complete a free transfer to Al-Nassr, a move that immediately triggered legal scrutiny. “Al-Hilal had filed an official complaint… protesting the player’s unilateral termination of his contract during the winter transfer window,” the report noted. Abdullah Al-Hamdan of Al Nassr celebrating. Official decision rejects the complaint After reviewing the case, the Professionalism and Players’ Status Committee of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) delivered its verdict. The committee accepted the complaint in form but rejected it in substance, effectively clearing Al-Hamdan of wrongdoing. It also dismissed Al-Hilal’s request to impose penalties under Article 62 of the professional regulations. The reasoning was procedural, as the complaint was filed before the matter had been taken to the appropriate legal authority for contract disputes. According to Arriyadiyah’s latest update, the committee rejected the complaint based on the merits of the case and procedural grounds, reinforcing the legitimacy of the decision. Abdullah Al-Hamdan of Al Nassr The catch: Legal battle far from over Despite the ruling, the situation carries an important twist. Al-Hilal’s management is preparing to file an official appeal and may escalate the case to higher legal bodies, including the Dispute Resolution Chamber. This move keeps the controversy alive and opens the door for further legal examination. The possibility of escalation means the case could extend beyond domestic committees and into more complex arbitration processes. Saudi journalist Abdullah Al-Hanyan suggested on X (formerly Twitter) that Al-Hilal believes it holds strong documentation to support its position. This determination signals that the dispute could continue to shape headlines in the coming weeks. Al-Hamdan’s impact on the pitch While the legal process unfolds, Abdullah Al-Hamdan has continued to contribute on the field for Al-Nassr. The striker has made 10 appearances, scoring four goals and providing one assist, showing his value to the squad. His performances have helped reinforce the club’s attacking options during a crucial period of the season, especially in Cristiano Ronaldo’s absence. This on-field impact adds another layer to the case, as the player remains central to Al-Nassr’s ambitions.

The club will be without Inigo Martinez for the upcoming clash against Al-Okhdood, while uncertainty also surrounds Kingsley Coman and Joao Felix, as fitness questions linger. Cristiano Ronaldo heads into another decisive Matchday with Al-Nassr, but fresh injury concerns have disrupted preparations. The club will be without Inigo Martinez for the upcoming clash against Al-Okhdood, while uncertainty also surrounds Kingsley Coman and Joao Felix, as fitness questions linger. The absence of key figures arrives at a critical point in the season. With the title race tightening, every selection decision now carries added weight for the league leader. Al-Nassr enters the Round 28 fixture against Al-Okhdood sitting top of the Saudi Pro League with 70 points, maintaining a five-point advantage over Al-Hilal. The club has built momentum through consistent results, including a commanding victory over Al-Najma in the previous round. At the same time, rivals have shown signs of vulnerability, with Al-Hilal dropping points and Al-Qadisiyah slipping to defeat. These results have strengthened Al-Nassr’s grip on first place, but the margin remains narrow enough to demand full focus. The biggest immediate setback comes with the confirmed absence of Inigo Martinez. The Spanish defender continues his recovery from a hamstring injury and has not yet returned to full group training. Inigo Martinez of Al-Nassr controls the ball According to Arriyadiyah, he has been limited to light running and individual training as part of his rehabilitation process. His absence removes an experienced defensive option at a time when stability at the back is essential. Fitness update on Coman and Felix emerges As a result, attention has also turned to Kingsley Coman and Joao Felix, whose fitness situations have been closely monitored. Arriyadiyah’s latest update suggests that both players are still undergoing rehabilitation and are yet to be fully integrated into group training, leaving their availability uncertain. Cristiano Ronaldo of Al-Nassr (R) and Joao Felix of Al-Nassr (L Coman has resumed individual training after partial participation, with a final decision expected closer to Saturday’s Matchday. Felix, meanwhile, remains on a structured recovery program alongside other teammates dealing with muscle-related issues. The report adds that medical and technical staff continue to manage these cases carefully to avoid setbacks, highlighting the cautious approach being taken. Several players set to return on the pitch The absence and uncertainty surrounding multiple players’ places added pressure on the squad depth. While some players, including Mohamed Simakan and Abdullah Al-Hamdan, have returned to fitness, others are still working toward full recovery. Preparing for AlOkhdood 🕰️ pic.twitter.com/eF253PoS45 — AlNassr FC (@AlNassrFC_EN) April 7, 2026 This situation forces the coaching staff to carefully balance short-term results with long-term player health. Managing workloads has become a recurring theme as the season approaches its decisive phase.