The club’s Instagram and other social media accounts have exploded since Ronaldo signed, gaining thousands of followers across all platforms.
Ronaldo is set to make his debut for the Saudi Arabia club in the domestic league on Sunday, January 22, and he will join the squad already in the fight for the league title. So who will the Portuguese star line up with?
The Sporting News brings you a full look at the Al Nassr squad whose colours Cristiano Ronaldo will defend as he begins his new playing chapter in the Middle East.
MORE: All the details of Ronaldo’s Al Nassr contract & salary in Saudi Arabia
Who plays at Al Nassr? Cristiano Ronaldo and other stars
Cristiano Ronaldo’s arrival at Al Nassr was a signing unlike any other, but he’s not the only international export playing at the Saudi Arabia club.
The other big names hail from South America headlined by Brazilian veteran Luiz Gustavo, who has 40 caps for the Selecao and played for Bayern Munich from 2011-2013. He signed with the side in July 2022 from Turkish club Fenerbahce.
American fans will also be familiar with 29-year-old Argentine attacking midfielder Gonzalo ‘Pity’ Martinez who has been with the club since signing from MLS club Atlanta United in 2020.
Ex-Arsenal and Napoli netminder David Ospina was the starting goalkeeper before an injury required him to undergo surgery.
Former Spain youth international Alvaro Gonzalez, who joined from French side Marseille this past summer, is a regular starter along the defensive line.
There are also some notable domestic stars with significant roles on the Saudi Arabia national side. Most notably, right-back Sultan Al-Ghannam has 27 international caps and played a significant role at the World Cup. Club captain Abdullah Madu has 15 caps of his own and saw minutes at the World Cup, while midfielder Sami Al-Najei did as well.
MORE: Who owns Al Nassr? Club owner paying for Ronaldo’s massive salary
Al Nassr lineup, starting 11
Cristiano Ronaldo is expected to slot in as the lone centre-forward supported by creative, attack-minded talents behind him.
On most days that supporting cast will be made up of Pity Martinez, Brazilian Anderson Talisca, and one of either talented Saudi creator Sami Al-Najei or Uzbek winger Jaloliddin Masharipov wide left.
Luiz Gustavo and Abdullah Al-Khaibari are the regular holding midfielders in front of a backline with Spaniard Alvaro Gonzalez at the heart of it.
Manager Rudi Garcia will likely opt to line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation to get as many attackers on the field as possible, but the 3-4-3 is also an option depending on the opponent.
Al Nassr 4-2-3-1 formation (right to left)
GK: 1-Al-Bukhari (David Ospina out injured)
DFs: 2-Al-Ghannam, 5-Al-Amri, 21-Gonzalez, 13-Konan
MFs: 18-Gustavo, 17-Alkhaibari
MFs: 10-Pity, 94-Talisca, 14-Al-Najei
FW: 7-Ronaldo
Al Nassr 3-4-3 formation (right to left)
GK: 1-Al-Bukhari (David Ospina out injured)
DFs: 5-Al-Amri, 21-Gonzalez, 78-Al-Oujami
MFs: 2-Al-Ghannam, 18-Gustavo, 17-Alkhaibari, 77-Masharipov
FWs: 10-Pity, 7-Ronaldo, 94-Talisca
Regular Substitutes
Goalkeepers: 33-Waleed Abdullah, 44-Nawaf Al-Aqidi
Defenders: 3-Abdullah Madu, 4-Mohammed Al-Fatil, 20-Hamed Al-Mansour, 78-Ali Al-Oujami, 27-Majed Mohammed Qasheesh
Midfielders: 19-Ali Al-Hassan, 8-Abdulmajeed Al-Sulaiheem
Wingers: 23-Ayman Yahya, 29-Abdulrahman Ghareeb, 11-Khalid Al-Ghannam, 77-Jaloliddin Masharipov
Forwards: 16-Mohammed Maran, 30-Meshari Al-Nemer
MORE: Complete Al Nassr match schedule
Al Nassr squad, roster for Saudi Pro League
There are 40 squad players available to manager Rudi Garcia with several youth products rarely seeing time with Al Nassr fighting for a Saudi Professional League title.
The eight internationals permitted by league rules are highlighted in bold below with Cameroonian forward Vincent Aboubakar making way for the addition of Cristiano Ronaldo. The Cameroon World Cup captain, who was listed on the bench for the Jan. 14 match vs. Al Shabab, is no longer listed on the club’s official roster page.
MORE: Who are Al Nassr? Everything about Ronaldo’s new club
