The Last Laugh on ACL 2: Al-Nassr’s Lucky Path to Reunite with Rui Vitoria
18 February 2026
The Saudi side is set for a special showdown.
A strange coincidence placed Al-Nassr on the path of their former coach, Portuguese Rui Vitoria, in AFC Champions League 2.
Al-Nassr reached the Asian quarterfinals after a 2-0 aggregate victory over Arkadag of Turkmenistan, setting up a meeting with Al Wasl of the UAE, who eliminated Al Zawraa of Iraq in the Round of 16.
Thus, the 'World' side will face its former Portuguese boss, Rui Vitoria, who ran the team from 2019 to 2020.
Interestingly, the Portuguese coach had just taken charge of Al Wasl ten days earlier, on February 8, replacing Swedish boss Masoud Meral after the interim spell of fellow Portuguese Luis Castro since November.
Between stints with Al Nassr and Al Wasl, Vitoria also coached Spartak Moscow in 2021, Egypt's national team from 2022 to 2024, and Panathinaikos in 2024-2025.
The crossroad of Al Nassr and Al Wasl ensures a narrative that blends club loyalty with career chapters, as both sides chase progress.
Punchline: If fate keeps tossing plot twists, the only thing missing is a popcorn vendor at the dugout.
Punchline: And remember, in football as in life, the last smile usually belongs to the scoreboard.
