Cristiano Ronaldo Shines in Al-Nassr Pre-Season Friendly, Proving Age is Just a Number
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – July 31, 2025.
At 40 years old, Cristiano Ronaldo continues to defy the odds, showcasing his enduring hunger for football in a pre-season friendly match that has reignited discussions about his legacy. On July 30, 2025, the Portuguese superstar took to the field with Al-Nassr, leading his team to a commanding 5-2 victory over Austrian third-division side SK St Johann.
The match, part of Al-Nassr’s 2025-26 pre-season preparations under new coach Jorge Jesus, marked Ronaldo’s return after a brief absence, and his performance has left fans and analysts buzzing.
The highlight of the game came with Ronaldo’s presence on the pitch, wearing the captain’s armband with pride. Images shared on his official X account (Cristiano) at 17:35 UTC on July 30—featuring him in action and celebrating with teammates—underscore his leadership and relentless drive.
In one photo, Ronaldo is seen sprinting across the field in Al-Nassr’s white kit, emblazoned with the “KAFD” sponsor logo, while another captures a heartfelt moment as he exchanges high-fives with teammates. His caption, “The hunger never fades. Still work to do and we’re just getting started ,” reflects a mindset that has defined his career, from Manchester United to Real Madrid and now the Saudi Pro League.
A Stellar Return and Leadership on Display
Ronaldo’s absence from Al-Nassr’s earlier pre-season clash against St Johann on July 29 had sparked speculation, with reports from World Soccer Talk suggesting a strategic decision by Jesus to gradually reintegrate him.
The plan paid off, as Ronaldo made his preseason debut against Toulouse on July 30, scoring the equalizer in a display of his enduring goal-scoring prowess. This follows a stellar 2023-24 season where he netted 35 goals in 41 games, reinforcing his status as the Saudi Pro League’s top scorer and a key figure in Al-Nassr’s ambitions.
The move to Al-Nassr in 2022, following his departure from Manchester United, has been transformative. A 2023 BBC analysis noted that Ronaldo’s arrival sparked a “revolution” in Asian football, boosting the league’s global appeal and facilitating player transfers from Europe. His influence extends beyond the pitch, with Al-Nassr’s 5-2 victory over St Johann—despite his initial absence—demonstrating the team’s depth, a testament to the high-profile talent the club has attracted.
Scientific Insights into Ronaldo’s Longevity
Scientific studies lend credence to Ronaldo’s longevity. Research published in the Journal of Sports Sciences (2021) indicates that elite athletes can maintain peak performance into their late 30s and beyond with optimized training regimens, challenging the notion that age inevitably diminishes athletic ability.
Ronaldo’s dedication to fitness, diet, and recovery aligns with these findings, allowing him to compete at a level unattainable by many younger players. A study from the University of Michigan (Faulkner et al., Clin J Sport Med) further supports this, highlighting how elite athletes can adapt skeletal muscle structure to mitigate age-related declines, a principle Ronaldo embodies.
Yet, the road ahead is not without hurdles. Al-Nassr’s season has faced challenges, with a third-place finish in the 2024-25 Saudi Pro League and a semifinal exit in the AFC Champions League against Kawasaki Frontale. Critics, as noted in Goal.com (October 2024), have pointed to a “nightmare” phase where team success has eluded Ronaldo despite his individual brilliance. Fans on X, however, remain optimistic, with posts predicting a milestone of 1,000 career goals by January 2026, a testament to his consistency.
Challenges and Future Prospects
As Al-Nassr prepares for their next friendly, Ronaldo’s hunger shows no sign of fading. Whether he can translate this pre-season form into silverware remains to be seen, but at 40, he continues to rewrite the narrative of what’s possible in professional football.
