Cristiano Ronaldo before a recovery training session with Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia on March 3, 2026. Photo by Al Nassr
Cristiano Ronaldo has been sidelined after Al Nassr confirmed he suffered a knee tendon injury and ended rumors that the Portuguese superstar had fled Saudi Arabia amid conflict in the Middle East.
Ronaldo started in Al Nassr’s 3-1 victory over Al Fayha in the 24th round of the Saudi Pro League on Feb. 28, but was substituted in the 81st minute. Television broadcasts captured the 41-year-old striker sitting on the bench with an ice pack strapped to his right hamstring.
Following the match, coach Jorge Jesus reassured fans that their captain was merely experiencing muscle fatigue, explaining that taking him off was a precautionary measure after the team had secured the lead.
However, subsequent medical evaluations revealed a more serious problem. In an official statement released on March 3, Al Nassr announced that Ronaldo had sustained a knee tendon injury during the Al Fayha match and had immediately begun recovery.
While the club did not specify the exact severity of the injury or a projected return date, they confirmed his condition would be assessed on a daily basis, Mark reported.
A sports physiotherapist in Saudi Arabia suggests Ronaldo could be out of action for a minimum of two weeks, potentially extending to four weeks if the damage is classified as a grade-two injury. This timeline means he is highly likely to miss the fixtures against Neom and Al Khaleej.
With Al Nassr locked in a tight championship race alongside Al Ahli and Al Hilal, the absence of their captain will affect their title ambitions.
Since the start of the current campaign, Ronaldo has featured in 26 matches across all competitions, tallying an impressive 22 goals and four assists. Even at 41, he has maintained elite fitness levels through diet, training and recovery protocols. Since his arrival in Saudi Arabia in early 2023, he has missed less than a month of total action due to injury.
This latest setback is causing concern among the fanbase, particularly given his well-documented history of chronic left knee tendon issues dating back to the 2013-2014 season. Al Nassr’s medical update did not specify whether the current injury affects his left or right leg.
Medical experts emphasize that Ronaldo must be able to sprint and change direction pain-free before returning to the pitch, as rushing the process could trigger a relapse.
Photos from the team’s training session on March 3 showed Ronaldo absent from the main group but actively working on his recovery in the club’s gym.
These photos put an end to the rumors that he had boarded a private jet to leave Saudi Arabia amid escalating tensions in the Middle East.
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