After a year in the second tier of Asia, Ronaldo is finally back where he belongs: But what has changed for Al Nassr?

Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates with the Saudi Pro League trophy. (Image credit: Al Nassr) Cristiano Ronaldo is back where he believes Al Nassr belongs. After spending last season in Asia’s second-tier competition, the Saudi giants return to the elite AFC Champions League on Tuesday, with Ronaldo once again chasing the only major continental club trophy that has eluded him since his move to the Middle East. Their opening assignment is familiar: Al Ain, the same club from the United Arab Emirates that shut out Al Nassr in the Champions League in 2024. But this is a completely different Al Nassr, with a league title, a new manager and a revamped continental competition awaiting them.

Why is Al Nassr back in the elite AFC Champions League?

Al Nassr’s absence in the first season was not a permanent relegation. The Riyadh club failed to qualify for the elite 2025–26 AFC Champions League and instead competed in the AFC Champions League Two, eventually losing the final to Japan’s Gamba Osaka.Their return was secured by winning the 2025–26 Saudi Pro League, ending a seven-year wait for a domestic title. Al Nassr finished two points clear of Al-Hilal, with Ronaldo scoring twice in a 4-1 final-day victory over Damac to seal the championship.The title also brought a significant change to the border. Jorge Jesus left after leading Al Nassr to the league crown and the club appointed Ange Postecoglou on a two-year deal. The former Tottenham and Celtic manager has already won the UEFA Europa League with Spurs and brings previous Asian experience from his time at Australia and Yokohama F. Marinos.So, after playing in the minor competition last season, Al Nassr is back in the continent’s premier club tournament for the 2026-27 season.

What has changed in AFC Champions League Elite?

Ronaldo’s return comes in the first season of a major expansion into the competition.The 2026–27 AFC Champions League Elite has grown from 24 clubs to 32, split equally between the West and East regions. Each region contains 16 teams, with each club playing eight league stage matches: four at home and four away, against eight different opponents.There are no traditional groups. Instead, all 16 clubs in each region are placed in a single league table, with the top eight from each region advancing to the knockout stages.The Round of 16 remains regional and will be played over two legs, but the competition will then move to a centralized final in Saudi Arabia. The quarter-finals, semi-finals and final will take place there, with the final scheduled for 1 May 2027.For Al Nassr, the Western Region is full of known Saudi opposition. They are joined by Al-Hilal, Al-Ahli, Al-Ittihad and Al-Qadsiah, alongside Al Ain and Shabab Al Ahli from the United Arab Emirates, Qatar’s Al Sadd, Al Gharafa and Al Shamal, Iran’s Esteghlal and Tractor, Uzbekistan’s Pakhtakor and Neftchi and Iraq’s Air Force Club.

What is Cristiano Ronaldo’s Champions League record with Al Nassr?

Ronaldo has already played a significant role in Al Nassr’s recent continental campaigns, although he has never led the club to the title.His first senior AFC Champions League campaign came in 2023–24 when Al Nassr reached the quarter-finals before losing to Al Ain on penalties. Ronaldo scored six goals in this tournament.He returned to the 2024-25 AFC Champions League Elite as Al Nassr went further and reached the semi-finals. Ronaldo scored eight goals, including against Al Ain in the league stage and in the quarter-final win over Yokohama F. Marinos. AFC confirmed he has made it eight goals in the competition after scoring in the 4-1 quarter-final win.This gives Ronaldo a record high of 14 goals in 16 appearances for Al Nassr over the two campaigns.Last season was different. Ronaldo appeared four times in AFC Champions League Two, scoring once as Al Nassra’s continental campaign moved into the second tier.Now, aged 41, he returns to the competition that is Asia’s most important, and does so after already winning Champions League titles in Europe with Manchester United and Real Madrid.

Who are Al Nassr playing and what are their chances?

The comeback kicks off against Al Ain on Tuesday 15 September at the Hazza bin Zayed Stadium, with kick-off scheduled for 20:00 local time.It’s a particularly interesting opener as Al Ain are not unfamiliar opponents. They eliminated Al Nassr in the 2023–24 quarter-finals, winning the tie on penalties after both matches ended in a draw.The UAE side arrive with credentials of their own, having completed the domestic double without losing a league match. So they immediately represent a serious test rather than a gentle introduction to widespread competition.Al Nassr, meanwhile, have plenty of offensive firepower. Ronaldo is joined by Sadio Mané, João Félix and Kingsley Coman, while Postecoglou is now tasked with translating last season’s domestic success into continental promotion.There is also unfinished business. Al Nassr have yet to win a top-flight club competition in Asia during Ronaldo’s tenure at the club, despite reaching the quarter-finals and then the semi-finals in their previous two top-flight campaigns. The club’s loss to Gamba Osaka in last year’s AFC Champions League Two final only added another painful continental chapter.This time they return to the top table with the Saudi title behind them, a new manager in charge and Ronaldo once again leading the chase for the trophy he never won in Asia.