Riyadh / March 3, 2026 – Cristiano Ronaldo remains firmly in Saudi Arabia and is undergoing treatment at Al Nassr’s training ground after picking up a hamstring injury in the club’s recent Saudi Pro League victory.
The Portuguese superstar, 41, was forced off in the 81st minute of Al Nassr’s 3-1 win over Al Fayha last Saturday, visibly limping and applying ice to his right hamstring on the bench. Initial speculation suggested a minor knock, but Al Nassr issued an official statement on Tuesday confirming the diagnosis.
Al Nassr’s official statement (via club channels):
“Cristiano Ronaldo has been diagnosed with a hamstring injury after the last game against Al Fayha. He has started a rehabilitation program and will be under evaluation day by day.”
No exact timeline for his return has been provided, with the club emphasizing a cautious, day-to-day assessment approach. Ronaldo is highly unlikely to feature in the upcoming league fixture against Neom SC on March 7, and his availability for subsequent matches — including any Portugal call-ups ahead of the 2026 World Cup (now under 100 days away) — remains uncertain.
The injury news came amid a wave of unfounded speculation that Ronaldo had left Saudi Arabia with his family, reportedly flying back to Madrid on his private jet due to escalating regional tensions in the Middle East (ongoing U.S.-Israel-Iran conflict).
Reliable transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano swiftly shut down those claims:
“🚨❌ Reports on international media about Cristiano Ronaldo who left Saudi Arabia with his family are wide of the mark. It’s a fake news as Cristiano is now doing treatment at Al Nassr training ground after issues in last game. Cristiano has not left Saudi to return to Madrid.”
Multiple sources, including local Saudi media and Al Nassr’s own updates, have confirmed Ronaldo is still based in Riyadh, focused on his recovery at the club’s facilities. Photos shared on social media appear to show him in rehabilitation sessions with the medical team, dispelling any notion of an abrupt exit.
The rumors likely stemmed from flight-tracking data showing a private jet linked to Ronaldo departing Riyadh — but there was no evidence he or his family were on board. In a climate of heightened geopolitical anxiety (with oil prices spiking and airspace disruptions across the region), the story spread rapidly before being corrected.
Ronaldo joined Al Nassr in December 2022 and has since become the Saudi Pro League’s all-time top scorer, captaining the side and driving record viewership and commercial growth for the club. Despite the setback, sources close to the player indicate he remains fully committed to Al Nassr and is prioritizing a full recovery to be ready for club duties and Portugal’s World Cup campaign in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
For now, the focus is purely on rehabilitation. Al Nassr fans — and football followers worldwide — will hope the five-time Ballon d’Or winner returns swiftly and stronger.
Stay tuned for further updates on Ronaldo’s recovery timeline.
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