Al Nassr and Al Ittihad face off at 7 p.m. today, 19/8.
This year's Saudi Super Cup is being held in Hong Kong for the first time, as a step towards promoting Saudi Arabian football to the world. The organizers hope the event will not only bring a fervent atmosphere to Asian fans but also affirm the global ambitions of Saudi football.
The spotlight semi-final will be the clash between Al Nassr, with stars like Ronaldo, Sadio Mane, Joao Felix, and Kingsley Coman, and Al Ittihad, featuring Benzema, N'Golo Kante, and Fabinho.
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Cristiano Ronaldo during Al Nassr's training session in Hong Kong on 18/8. Photo: Al Nassr |
Cristiano Ronaldo during Al Nassr's training session in Hong Kong on 18/8. Photo: Al Nassr
This is Ronaldo's opportunity to win his first official title with Al Nassr. Since joining the club, the 40-year-old forward has finished second in the Saudi Pro League twice, lost two Saudi Super Cup semi-finals and one final, lost one King Cup semi-final and one final, and been eliminated in the Asian AFC Champions League quarter-finals and semi-finals. Ronaldo's only trophy with Al Nassr is the 2023 Arab Champions Cup, a friendly tournament.
Despite not winning major tournaments, Ronaldo has achieved high individual accomplishments, scoring 99 goals and providing 19 assists in 111 matches across all competitions for Al Nassr. The Portuguese forward won the Saudi Pro League Golden Boot in the last two seasons, with 35 and 25 goals respectively.
The semi-final between Al Nassr and Al Ittihad promises to be unpredictable due to their fierce rivalry. In their last five meetings, the results have constantly shifted: Al Nassr won convincingly 5-2 and 4-2, but also lost 2-1 and then 3-2.
The match on 7/5/2025 is a clear example: Al Nassr led 2-0 after the first half but allowed Al Ittihad to come back and win 3-2 thanks to goals from Benzema, Kante, and Aouar. The defeat angered Ronaldo, who criticized his teammates on the field.
The Saudi Super Cup saw last-minute changes as Al Hilal withdrew to focus on the FIFA Club World Cup and ensure their players' leave commitments. The Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) subsequently banned Al Hilal from participating in the next two Super Cups and fined the club approximately 133,350 USD for their last-minute withdrawal.
This makes the clash between Al Nassr and Al Ittihad the biggest focus of attention. The winning team will meet Al Ahli or Al Qadsiah in the final at Hong Kong Stadium at 7 p.m. on 23/8.
Compiled by Hong Duy
