Ronaldo's Potential Return: Jesus Chooses to Start the Portuguese Icon in Saudi Showdown
12 February 2026
Ronaldo returns to the starting lineup
The Portuguese coach Jorge Jesus has decided to reinstate Cristiano Ronaldo for the next Roshen Saudi Pro League match against Al-Fayha. The decision marks a change after Ronaldo sat out the last three fixtures.
Al-Nassr will travel to Al-Fayha’s home ground in Al-Ahsa on Saturday, in the 22nd round of the league.
Ronaldo's form and the team context
According to the Saudi daily Al-Yawm, Jesus believes Ronaldo is fit to contribute from the start this week, having trained with the squad normally, most recently on Thursday, just 48 hours before kickoff.
Ronaldo missed the Riyadh and Al-Ittihad matches in Roshen, as well as Arkadag in the AFC Champions League 2, amid a dispute with league officials over the winter transfer policy.
The coach sees Ronaldo as ready to compete, with his training sessions indicating readiness for match action.
So far this season Ronaldo has 17 goals in the Saudi league, placing him third in the scoring chart, two behind England’s Ivan Tony of Al-Ahli Jeddah and one behind Mexican Julian Quinones of Al-Qadsiah.
Punchline: If Ronaldo scores, the scoreboard files a loud apology to the opponents.
Punchline 2: My calculator just upgraded Ronaldo's goals and the defense filed a missing-people report.
