Before the 2024/25 Saudi Pro League kick-off, there’s an exciting fixture awaiting between two Middle Eastern giants. The Saudi Super Cup final is at stake, featuring yet another familiar clash as Al Nassr faces off against Al Hilal. As both teams look to start their fresh campaign with a silverware win, the question looms whether Cristiano Ronaldo will be playing tonight.

The Portuguese superstar finally returned to domestic action after missing a rather turbulent pre-season that his side played. He proved clinical in the previous semifinal fixture against Al Taawoun, scoring the second goal with his iconic bottom-post finish before Ayman Yahya scored the opener inside eight minutes. It was after 79 days we saw the 39-year-old on the scoresheet, having scored a brace last time for Luis Castro’s side during the final Saudi League game vs Al Ittihad.

His summer with Portugal National Team was also unsuccessful, failing to score till the quarter-final stages. After a poor European campaign, he took a long vacation to revitalize before returning to training. Luckily, just like the previous match, fans are in for a treat tonight as Cristiano Ronaldo will be playing the Saudi Super Cup final vs Al Hilal. Considering the opponents his domestic side are facing, the Manchester United icon’s presence tonight is crucial.

Both sides seem to be each other’s favorite opponents, having locked horns in crucial tournaments. Mostly, it was Jorge Jesus’s side that saw the victory. In the previous season, Al Nassr lost the Saudi Pro League, the Saudi Super Cup semi-final, the Kings Cup of Champions final, and two domestic fixtures to Neymar’s side.

The last time the Knights of the Najd clinched a victory was in the 2023 Arab Club Cup of Champions. While they’ll be looking to turn things around tonight, they will have to do so without a star player.

While Cristiano Ronaldo starts, Marcelo Brozovic sits out for the Saudi Super Cup final vs Al Hilal!

Though Luis Castro’s men managed to clinch a victory, it came at the cost of losing out star player Marcelo Brozovic. The midfielder was sent off by the referee in the previous fixture just before the end of the match. Cristiano Ronaldo and the coaching staff were left fuming by the controversial red card given to Brozovic and even tried to protest the incident in the aftermath.

However, that was worth the try as they eventually returned to pitch without any favors. Tonight, Al Nassr would be forced to line up without Brozovic for the crucial match. It would be interesting to see who Castro calls up to rise for the occasion. Regardless, Brozovic does leave a void with his red card, giving a huge boost to the upcoming rivals. However, Al Hilal too, should worry about themselves.

Jorge Jesus’ side is coming in with a close call against Al Ahli Saudi in the semifinals. Robert Firmino’s late strike was denied by a stoppage-time equalizer from Aleksander Mitrovic, with Al Hilal eventually sealing the victory on a 4-1 win on penalties. It remains to be seen whether Cristiano Ronaldo and his teammates can take their previous revenge over their arch-rivals, that too, in the absence of Marcelo Brozovic.