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The Return of Cristiano Ronaldo and Sadio Mane: Al-Nassr's Injury Update

Al-Nassr manager Jorge Jesus sheds light on the absence of stars Cristiano Ronaldo and Sadio Mane, hinting at their return after the international break. Learn more about their crucial roles and impact on the team's performance as the Saudi Pro League heats up.

The Return of Cristiano Ronaldo and Sadio Mane: Al-Nassr's Injury Update

Al-Nassr manager Jorge Jesus has provided clarity on the absence of his two biggest stars following his side's comprehensive 5-0 victory over Al Khaleej. Despite the dominant performance, questions loomed regarding the fitness of Cristiano Ronaldo and Sadio Mane, neither of whom featured in the matchday squad as they deal with minor fitness concerns.Speaking to the media after beating Al-Khaleej, Jesus confirmed that fans will have to wait a little longer to see the pair back on the pitch. "Ronaldo and Mane should return after the international break. Everyone knows that they are great players, they will be out for a while. Mane felt pain a few days ago and we decided to leave him out, he will be fit after the break," the coach explained.The Riyadh-based club are currently without the two superstars at a crucial point in the season. Al-Nassr currently sit at the summit of the Saudi Pro League with 67 points, holding a three-point lead over rivals Al Hilal. With the league set to resume in early April, Jesus is focused on ensuring his primary goal scorers are at 100% for the final stretch of the campaign.The Portuguese tactician admitted that the upcoming pause for the international break is bittersweet given his team's scintillating form. "A victory against a good team. We have eight finals to be champions. Unfortunately for us, the league is going to stop when we are at our best and achieving results," Jesus remarked, highlighting the momentum his side has built.In the absence of Ronaldo, fellow Portuguese international Joao Felix took centre stage, netting a double in the 5-0 rout to bring his season tally to an impressive 21 goals. Jesus was quick to praise the forward's resurgence and statistical output since moving to the Saudi top flight, noting that the player is reaching levels he never touched in European domestic football."Joao Felix has reached historic numbers that he had never achieved at the clubs he played for," Jesus told reporters. "This demonstrates that there is a different individual work, in addition to great teamwork." The manager's comments suggest that the specific training regime at Al-Nassr has allowed the former Atletico Madrid man to unlock his full clinical potentialAdd GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reportingThe return of key figures such as Ronaldo and Mané will be crucial for Al-Nassr. Ronaldo's leadership and experience, combined with Mané's pace and attacking threat, could prove decisive as Al-Nassr navigate the final eight matches of the campaign when the league resumes in April.Al-Nassr will begin this crucial phase with what appears to be a relatively straightforward fixture on paper, as they host bottom-of-the-table side Al-Najma in the Saudi Pro League.

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Al-Nassr's Absence of Ronaldo and Mane

Al-Nassr's recent comprehensive 5-0 victory over Al Khaleej raised questions about the fitness of Cristiano Ronaldo and Sadio Mane, who were notably missing in action. Jorge Jesus confirmed that the duo will return after the international break, emphasizing their importance to the team's success.

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Crucial Point in the Season

With Al-Nassr currently leading the Saudi Pro League, the absence of Ronaldo and Mane poses a challenge for the team. Jesus is focused on ensuring his top goal scorers are fully fit for the final stretch of the campaign as they aim to secure the league title.

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Joao Felix and Al-Nassr's Success

In the absence of Ronaldo, Joao Felix has stepped up, showcasing his goal-scoring prowess with a double in the recent victory. Jesus praised Felix's contribution and highlighted the impact of individual training methods at Al-Nassr in unlocking players' potential.

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Looking Ahead

The return of key figures like Ronaldo and Mane will be pivotal for Al-Nassr as they navigate the final matches of the season. Their leadership and attacking threat could make a significant difference in crucial encounters. The team's upcoming match against Al-Najma marks the beginning of a decisive phase in the Saudi Pro League.

Published on Mar 15, 2026