Cristiano Ronaldo Returns to Spain as Al Nassr Faces Almeria in High-Profile Friendly
Hey, have you heard about the upcoming Almeria vs. Al Nassr match? It’s creating quite a buzz, especially because Cristiano Ronaldo is back playing in Spain. This preseason friendly isn’t just any match; it marks Al Nassr wrapping up their European tour before the Saudi Super Cup kicks off later this month.
So here’s the deal — Al Nassr, the Saudi Pro League giants, are playing against Spanish second-division side Almeria at the Power Horse Stadium, which is Almeria’s home ground. Fans are really excited because Ronaldo, the Portuguese legend who’s had an incredible career in La Liga, will be playing on Spanish soil again for the first time since 2022. Remember, Ronaldo spent nine seasons in Spain with Real Madrid, winning a whopping 15 trophies. This match will be his fifth time playing at Almeria’s stadium, and he already has a solid history there, scoring four goals across previous visits as a Real Madrid player.
Al Nassr comes into this game after a strong preseason in Europe. Ronaldo himself just dazzled fans on his home island, Madeira, scoring a hat-trick in a 4-0 win against Rio Ave. Besides Ronaldo, Al Nassr has some serious talent too. New signing Joao Felix just made his debut and impressed everyone, and they’re reportedly close to signing Barcelona defender Inigo Martinez on a free transfer. Coach Jorge Jesus is hoping to get Martinez involved as soon as possible, so the team will be looking strong and ready.
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Almeria, on the other hand, had a quick turnaround after playing against La Liga side Elche last Friday, where they narrowly lost 1-0. The coach, Rubi, is expected to shuffle the lineup quite a bit, giving opportunities to new players like left-back Alex Munoz, who recently joined from Las Palmas. Their main attacking threats will be Sergio Arribas, a former Real Madrid youth player, and Leo Baptistao, the Brazilian striker who scored 10 goals last season in the Segunda Division. Unfortunately, their central midfielder Iddrisu Baba remains sidelined due to a serious knee injury.
As for the lineups, Al Nassr is predicted to start with a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Ronaldo leading the attack, supported by Joao Felix and Sadio Mané. Almeria is expected to line up similarly in a 4-2-3-1 shape, focusing on creativity through Arribas and finishing with Baptistao.
The match will kick off at 7 p.m. local time on August 10th, and it’s set to be an exciting showdown. Tickets are already creating a lot of hype, thanks to Ronaldo’s presence — season ticket holders pay a small fee, but general admission tickets are pricier, reflecting the huge demand to see one of football’s all-time greats back in action in Spain.
This friendly serves as a warm-up for Al Nassr before their big Saudi Super Cup clash against Al Ittihad on August 19. It’s a perfect chance for fans to see Ronaldo and other stars like Brozović and Mane in action ahead of the new season.
All in all, it’s more than just a friendly — it’s a glimpse of what’s next for Al Nassr as they prepare for bigger battles, and a special moment for fans who get to witness Ronaldo’s return to Spanish football.
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