The Saudi Arabian side are no strangers to star players, but they have made a mighty splash by luring Ronaldo to the Middle East.
Ronaldo has reportedly signed a deal that will make him the highest-paid footballer in the world as Al Nassr flex their financial muscle.
So who is funding and running the club now home to one of most famous footballers in history? The Sporting News takes a look.MORE: What is Ronaldo’s jersey number at Al Nassr?
Al Nassr owner
Specific ownership details on Al Nassr are sparse, but it is Saudi-owned and operated with close ties to the country’s royal family.Musalli Al-Muammar is the president of the club and was elected by Al Nassr board members in 2021 having previously been president of the Saudi Pro League for nearly two years.
He was the preferred choice of Prince Khalid bin Fahd bin Abdulaziz, who reportedly provides support for the club.
Prior to Al-Muammar’s appointment, Safwan Al-Suwaiket was removed as president after a number of irregularities were identified while he was in charge.
Al Nassr was co-founded by brothers Hussein Al-Jabaa and Zaid Al-Jabaa in 1955 with former Saudi Prince Abdul Rahman bin Saud Al Saud becoming involved five years later as the club turned professional.
After conquering Europe 👑
The iconic star is on a new mission to conquer ASIA! 🌏#HalaRonaldo 💛 pic.twitter.com/HU84lyhf22— AlNassr FC (@AlNassrFC_EN) January 2, 2023
Al Nassr trophies won
Al Nassr are historically one of the most successful clubs in Saudi Arabia.
They enjoyed sustained periods of success after their formation, but they have fallen short of those high standards over the past two decades.
As such, their fierce rivals Al Hilal have now won the Saudi Pro League twice as many times, with Al Nassr the next most successful club in the competition.
- Saudi Pro League: 9 (1974/75, 1979/80, 1980/81, 1988/89, 1993/94, 1994/95, 2013/14, 2014/15, 2018/19)
- King’s Cup: 6 (1974, 1976, 1981, 1986, 1987, 1990)
- Saudi Crown Prince’s Cup: 3 (1972/73, 1973/74, 2013/14)
- Saudi Federation Cup: 3 (1975/76, 1997/98, 2007/08)
- Saudi Super Cup: 2 (2019, 2020)
- Asian Cup Winners’ Cup: 1 (1997/98)
- Asian Super Cup: 1 (1998)
- GCC Champions League: 2 (1996, 1997)
Al Nassr stadium
Al Nassr are based in Saudi Arabia’s capital Riyadh and have played all their home games at Mrsool Park since 2020, with the stadium itself only opening in 2015.
It has a current capacity of 25,000 and notably hosted the Maradona Cup match between Boca Juniors and Barcelona in 2021.
Al Nassr schedule
Al Nassr are halfway through their 2022/23 season, meaning Ronaldo could have a big part to play in any silverware they do pick up this season.
Two club trophies (Saudi Pro League and King Cup) remain up for grabs after their elimination in the Saudi Super Cup. Ronaldo will no doubt be hoping to claim both to mark a dream start to life in Saudi Arabia and justify his record-breaking wages.
| Date | Competition | Stage | Opponent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thu, Feb. 9 | Saudi Pro League | Matchday 16 | at Al Wehda |
| Fri, Feb. 17 | Saudi Pro League | Matchday 17 | vs. Al Taawoun |
| Sat, Feb. 25 | Saudi Pro League | Matchday 18 | at Damac |
| Fri, Mar. 3 | Saudi Pro League | Matchday 19 | vs. Al Batin |
| Thu, Mar. 9 | Saudi Pro League | Matchday 20 | at Al Ittihad |
| Tue, Mar. 14 | King Cup of Champions | Quarterfinals | vs. Abha |
| Sat, Mar. 18 | Saudi Pro League | Matchday 21 | vs. Abha |
| April (TBD) | King Cup of Champions | Semifinal | TBD |
| Tue, Apr. 4 | Saudi Pro League | Matchday 22 | at Al Adalah |
| Sun, Apr. 9 | Saudi Pro League | Matchday 23 | at Al Feiha |
| Wed, Apr. 26 | Saudi Pro League | Matchday 24 | vs. Al Raed |
| April (TBD) | King Cup of Champions | Final | TBD |
| Tue, May 2 | Saudi Pro League | Matchday 25 | at Al Hilal |
| Mon, May 8 | Saudi Pro League | Matchday 26 | vs. Al Khaleej |
| Sun, May 14 | Saudi Pro League | Matchday 27 | at Al Tai |
| Fri, May 19 | Saudi Pro League | Matchday 28 | vs. Al Shabab |
| Thu, May 25 | Saudi Pro League | Matchday 29 | at Al Ittifaq |
| Tue, May 30 | Saudi Pro League | Matchday 30 | vs. Al Fateh |
