Ronaldo, Félix and Mané Lead Al-Nassr Into Al-Ain AFC Clash
Al-Nassr and Al-Ain renew their continental rivalry in Abu Dhabi
AL AIN, United Arab Emirates — Kickoff at Hazza bin Zayed Stadium is set for 17:00 BST (12:00 p.m. ET / 9:00 a.m. PT), with live streaming coverage provided globally on the official AFC YouTube channel.
Al-Nassr enters Tuesday’s AFC Champions League Elite fixture after a 1-1 draw against Al-Khaleej on Saturday. The result extended the Saudi Arabian side’s run to two consecutive away games without a victory in Saudi Pro League play, as the Riyadh-based club travels to the Abu Dhabi Emirate.
The host venue has a capacity of 25,000 and will stage a meeting between Al-Ain and an Al-Nassr squad headlined by international stars Cristiano Ronaldo, João Félix, and Sadio Mané. Al-Ain is also seeking a response after drawing 2-2 at home against Dubai-based Al-Wasl on Thursday, a result that ended the club’s perfect winning record at the start of the domestic season.
Al-Nassr manager aligned a frontline featuring five-time Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldo, who captains the club. The Portuguese striker is joined in attack by former Liverpool forward Mané and Portuguese international Félix.
<img width="1024" height="536" src="https://nile1.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/2SA449G-1-1-1024×536.jpg" alt="Portugal footballer Cristiano Ronaldo raising both arms in celebration in a stadium while playing for Saudi Pro League team Al Nassr Football Club in a yellow and blue kit with his surname and number seven on the back” />
Nawaf Al Aqidi starts in goal for Al-Nassr, while Abdullah Al Khaibari and Portuguese midfielder Samu Costa are set to operate in midfield. French center-back Mohamed Simakan and former Athletic Bilbao and Barcelona defender Íñigo Martínez are part of the defensive unit.
Abdulelah Al Amri, Saad Al Nasser, and Nawaf Boushal complete the Al-Nassr defense. Substitute options include Brazilian goalkeeper Bento, forward Ângelo, Sami Al Naji, Abdullah Al Hamddan, Nader Al Sharari, Hayder Abdulkareem, Majed Qasheesh, Abdulrahman Al Otaibi, Rakan Al Ghamdi, Saad Haqawi, Sultan Al Mas, and Awad Aman.
Veteran United Arab Emirates national team goalkeeper Khalid Eissa starts for Al-Ain. The home side’s attack is spearheaded by Moroccan forward Soufiane Rahimi, with Alejandro Romero and Lazaro also included.
Al-Ain’s starting eleven features defenders Rafael Rodrigues, Ben Khaleq, Egyptian international defender Ramy Rabia, and Traore. Skoko and Palacios operate in midfield, while reserve goalkeeper Mohammed Bu Sanda is among the available substitutes.
Giorgos Giakoumakis, Marcos André, Brazilian defender Erik, Ilou, Muhammed, Junior, Okpoti, Niang, Udoh, Mohammed, and Jasic are also available for Al-Ain. The club sits second in the UAE Pro League after the draw with Al-Wasl.
The fixture renews a recent continental rivalry. Al-Ain and Al-Nassr met in the quarter-finals of the 2023–24 AFC Champions League, when Al-Ain eliminated Al-Nassr in a penalty shootout in Riyadh after a 4-4 tie on aggregate over two legs. Al-Ain then went on to win the continental championship.
The AFC Champions League Elite is the Asian Football Confederation’s premier club competition following the restructuring of continental tournaments for the 2024–25 calendar. It brings together 24 top clubs divided between West and East regions.
