Cristiano Ronaldo suffered a knee tendon injury during Al Nassr's 3-1 victory over Al Fayha in matchweek 24 of the Saudi Pro League. The 41-year-old forward started the match but exited in the 81st minute. Television footage showed him on the bench with an ice pack on his right hamstring. Following the game, coach Jorge Jesus initially reassured reporters that Ronaldo only felt muscle fatigue, and the coaching staff opted not to take risks given the team's lead.

Ronaldo before a rehabilitation session with Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia on 3/3/2026. Photo: Al Nassr

However, subsequent medical examinations revealed a different conclusion. In an official announcement on 3/3, Al Nassr stated that Ronaldo sustained a knee tendon injury during the Al Fayha match and has commenced rehabilitation. The club did not disclose the specific severity or recovery timeline, only mentioning that his condition would be evaluated daily.

A physiotherapist in Saudi Arabia estimated that Ronaldo could be sidelined for at least two weeks, potentially up to 4 weeks if the injury is grade two. This prognosis suggests he is likely to miss matches against Neom and Al Khaleej in 3/2026. Al Nassr's schedule is already demanding as they contend for the championship with Al Ahli and Al Hilal, so the captain's absence will significantly impact their ambitions.

Since joining Al Nassr in early 2023, Ronaldo has maintained an impressive fitness record, missing less than one month due to injury across all competitions. This is largely attributed to his strict regimen of diet, training, and recovery. However, this recurrence raises concerns, especially since he previously experienced chronic issues with his left knee tendon from late in the 2013-2014 season. Al Nassr did not specify which knee tendon was affected in the current injury.

Saudi Arabian media revealed Ronaldo's rehabilitation plan includes three main types of exercises: knee raises and low hurdle drills, resistance training with elastic bands, and balance-enhancing exercises on small platforms. This process is divided into five stages: beginning with movement control and inflammation reduction, followed by restoring range of motion, strengthening, comparative testing between the injured and healthy leg, before allowing a return to team training.

Ronaldo needs to achieve high-speed readiness, with the ability to accelerate and change direction without pain symptoms. Expediting the rehabilitation process could lead to re-injury, potentially prolonging his absence from play.

In team training photos from 3/3, Ronaldo was not with his teammates but was undergoing rehabilitation in the gym. This also dispelled rumors about him leaving Saudi Arabia amidst political tensions in the Middle East.

Hoang An (according to Marca, Kooora)