Portuguese clubs have been in a queue to play Al Nassr this summer, as club friendlies have taken center stage. After facing Portimonense and Porto, the Riyadh-based outfit tonight faces Lusitano Evora 1911 in Albufeira, Portugal. Portuguese fans in the stands will be searching for one guy, the man from the neighboring Madeira- Cristiano Ronaldo. But will the Portuguese captain upset his compatriots with yet another no-show for Al Nassr?

Cristiano Ronaldo has notably missed Al Nassr’s forgetful friendlies against Portimonense and Porto. The Knights of Najd lost 1-0 to Portimonense and 4-0 to Porto in his absence. If Ronaldo shows up for the yellow team tonight and they win, he can continue to don the famous redeemer’s hat he has been sporting over the years.

Is Cristiano Ronaldo with his teammates to play against Lusitano Evora?

Cristiano Ronaldo has not accompanied his Al Nassr teammates to his homeland. The veteran could indeed have taken his pals around his homeland like a travel guide. But he is currently on vacation with his family. It is unclear where the superstar and his family are right now. His Instagram posts from last week show that he and his family were touring unexplored beaches in Saudi Arabia. Besides, the Al Nassr coach Luis Castro has not given a timeline for CR7’s return to the club’s training camp. So the Lusitano Evora game will be yet another friendly where Al Nassr has to play without Ronaldo.

Certain reports indicate that the 5x-Ballon d’Or winner would rejoin the Knights of Najd camp in August. The Riyadh club notably plays La Liga’s Granada on August 04. So we could expect Ronaldo to show up for that clash, which is the last of Al Nassr’s pre-season friendlies. Thereafter Luis Castro and Co. face Al Taawoun in the Saudi Super Cup semi-final on August 13. Ronaldo would undoubtedly start for his side in that huge game unless he picks an injury or a physical malady before the game.

It is true that friendlies won’t matter a bit for Al Nassr or any other club. But their pathetic plight in Ronaldo’s absence has exposed how vital the veteran is for the Riyadhi club, even when he’s nearing 40.

Al Nassr’s forward line plummets in Ronaldo’s absence

Anderson Talisca’s season-ending thigh injury was the biggest knock Al Nassr got last season. Fortunately, the Brazilian superstar is back again at the Knights of Najd camp. But his start has been rather abysmal. How will his start be any different when the club’s entire forward line, including the legendary Sadio Mane, is off-kilter? Not only did Al Nassr misfire against Porto, but they only attempted a goal a meager three times, as compared to their rivals’ eight attempts and four goals.

This was not the case when Cristiano Ronaldo was at the helm of Al Nassr’s attack. He was the Saudi Pro League’s top scorer for the last season with 44 goals in 45 matches. Hence, it is high time that the Portuguese captain resumed his Al Nassr duties and helped the club have a decent start to the exciting Saudi League campaign that awaits them.