Al Nassr Shock Win: Cristiano Ronaldo’s Last-Minute Hat-Trick Sends Saudi Giants to League Summit

Cristiano Ronaldo and Al Nassr are wasting no time turning up the volume ahead of the 2025-26 Saudi Pro League season, combining eye-catching pre-season form with headline-grabbing transfer business. Ronaldo’s brace rescues 2-2 draw against Almería Al Nassr wrapped up their week-long training camp in Andalusia with a lively 2-2 draw versus La Liga side UD Almería on 10 August. Ronaldo struck twice inside the opening 35 minutes—first from the penalty spot and then with a trademark first-time finish—but Rubi’s men pegged the Saudis back through goals from Largie Ramazani and Adrián Embarba in either half, the latter sneaking in behind a high defensive line to equalise on 43 minutes. Manager Luís Castro again deployed his preferred 4-2-3-1, handing debuts to summer arrivals Aymeric Laporte and Alex Telles while continuing to trial teenage midfielder Abdulrahman Ghareeb in the No. 10 role. The result means Al Nassr finish their Spanish tour unbeaten (W2 D1 L0) and head back to Riyadh having scored nine goals in three friendlies. Inigo Martínez joins on a free from Barcelona Hours after full-time the club announced the capture of Spain international centre-back Iñigo Martínez, who terminates his contract with Barcelona to sign a three-year deal reportedly worth €14 million per season. The 34-year-old bolsters a back line that leaked 30 league goals last term and is expected to form a left-foot/right-foot pairing with Laporte. Martínez becomes the club’s third European signing of the window after goalkeeper Diogo Costa and winger Nicolás González. Kingsley Coman next on the radar Sources in Germany claim Al Nassr have tabled an opening €30 million bid for Bayern Munich winger Kingsley Coman, although the Bundesliga champions value the 29-year-old closer to €50 million. Negotiations are ongoing, but the presence of Ronaldo and the lure of tax-free wages could tilt the balance in the Saudi side’s favour. Coman would add Champions League-level pace and width to an attack already featuring Ronaldo, Sadio Mané and Otávio. Season curtain-raiser looms Al Nassr open their league campaign on 16 August at Mrsool Park against rivals Al-Taawoun before facing last year’s champions Al-Hilal a week later. With Ronaldo eyeing the Golden Boot and the club’s hierarchy targeting a first league title since 2023, the summer recruitment drive underlines ambitions of ending Al-Hilal’s recent domestic dominance. Key takeaways for supporters and fantasy managers • Ronaldo looks razor-sharp—five goals in three friendlies. • Defensive overhaul nearly complete with Martínez and Laporte pairing up. • Coman pursuit signals intent to add one more marquee name before the window shuts. • Saudi Pro League match tickets at Mrsool Park sold out within 30 minutes of release on Thursday. Expect more movement in Riyadh over the coming fortnight; if Al Nassr land Coman and keep Ronaldo firing, the Saudi Pro League title race could be headed for its most star-studded showdown yet.