The clash of titans in the Saudi league is just hours away! Former teammates Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema will be facing each other for the first time since they moved to Saudi Arabia in the Al Nassr-Al Ittihad Boxing Day clash. Benzema was yet to switch to Al Ittihad, the last they played Al Nassr. Upon Benzema’s switch, Ronaldo let loose his eagerness to face his former strike partner from Real Madrid. Well, there was more to CR7’s anticipation of facing Al Ittihad. Though the 38-year-old can face Benzema, not all of his aspirations are going to bear fruit in the match against Al Ittihad.

The last meeting between the two teams had gone Al Ittihad’s way. Now is the perfect time for Ronaldo and co. to have revenge. Furthermore, the absence of eight players has already marred Al Ittihad’s defense. Nonetheless, CR7 won’t be so happy, as there won’t be a fellow Portuguese star, whom he badly wanted to face.

Cristiano Ronaldo can face Benzema, but not someone he badly wanted to play against

When Karim Benzema’s move to Al Ittihad became the talk of the town, Cristiano Ronaldo was asked about the prospects of facing his ex-teammate. “I won’t just face Benzema, I’ll face Nuno Santo, a Portuguese coach who was a champion last year,” said Ronaldo in response. Now, however, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner has a snowball’s chance in hell to lock horns with Nuno Espirito Santo. Al Ittihad sacked Nuno Espirito on November 8, this year. Argentine manager Marcelo Gallardo is currently coaching the Jeddah-based club.

Nuno Espirito Santo’s sacking was a surprise move from the Ittihad. The Portuguese boss had led the club to their first Saudi League title win in 14 years in his first season. That very season, Al Ittihad had also won the Saudi Supercup. However, a 2-0 loss against Iraq’s Al Quwiya Al Jawiya prompted Al Ittihad’s front office to fire him. Anyhow, it is not like Ronaldo has never faced the fellow countryman. In the past, CR has faced Santos, while both of them were in Europe.

Ronaldo’s past meetings with ex-Al Ittihad boss

La Liga’s Valencia was the second club in Nuno Espirito Santo’s managerial career. This was during the 2014-15 season. At that time Ronaldo was playing in Real Madrid, hence crossing paths with Nuno Santos. Then Madrid had drawn once and won a match against Santos’ Valencia. Then again, the Portuguese player and the manager faced off in the Premier League.

READ MORE: “It’s Dark Inside” – Rio Ferdinand Trolls Cristiano Ronaldo for Wearing Shades at ‘Day of Reckoning’ Event

During Ronaldo’s second coming to Manchester United, Nuno Santo was Tottenham Hotspur’s gaffer. In October 2021, CR7’s MUFC defeated Santo’s Tottenham 3-0 at home. CR had opened his team’s scoring that night. This shocker of a loss eventually led to Santo’s sacking. Now, before he could face a similar fate at Ronaldo’s hands, Al Ittihad sacked him. The Portuguese boss currently manages PL’s Nottingham Forest.

WATCH THIS STORY: Ten Times Cristiano Ronaldo Scored Four Goals in a Game