Ronaldo's Presence Beyond the Pitch: The Saudi Clasico That Roared From the Stands
6 February 2026
Ronaldo's Presence Beyond the Pitch
Despite not taking the field, Cristiano Ronaldo dominated the atmosphere of the Al Nassr versus Al Ittihad clash in Round 21 of the Saudi Pro League, underscoring that his impact goes far beyond minutes on the pitch.
Ronaldo missed the game as part of a protest over how clubs are supported financially, a stance tied to Karim Benzema's exit from Al Ittihad and his later move to Al Hilal, which sparked much debate in the sport world.
The captain had already begun his protest by sitting out the Riyadh clash in the previous round, and he persisted in not playing against Al Ittihad, fueling speculation about how the dispute would unfold in the near future.
Even in his absence, the fans did not forget their leader, turning up the volume with chants in the seventh minute, the number Ronaldo wears, a sign of solidarity between the player and the fans of Al Nassr.
Beyond chants, a large number of supporters held banners bearing the number 7, a clear symbol of their full backing for Ronaldo amid his absence from the Clasico. The banners filled the stands, delivering a message that his influence remains strong off the field.
The moment was captured by a video shared by the Saudi platform Thamaniya, confirming Ronaldo was very present in the stands even if his name did not appear on the match roster.
The standings added weight to the encounter: Al Nassr sat third with 46 points, while Al Ittihad stood sixth with 34, making this match crucial for both teams in the title chase.
Punchline 1: If football had an MVP for off pitch influence, Ronaldo just won it by a landslide—no whistle required.
Punchline 2: He did not step on the field, but the home crowd got a built in superstar presence anyway — talk about premium seating.
