Christiano Ronaldo has endured a difficult set of results Al Nassras he watched his team take first place in the Saudi Pro League during the 2025-2026 season after a historic start. With leaders Al Hilal the next in a crucial six-point showdown, the Portuguese superstar has been given a major boost as a key teammate returns from injury.
After opening the season with a record streak of 10 consecutive wins, Al Nassr have struggled to maintain that momentum in recent weeks. A 2-2 draw against Al Ettifaq has been followed by successive defeats to Al Ahli and Al Qadsiah since early 2026, a slip that has cost Ronaldo’s side valuable ground in the title race.
Defender Mohamed Simakan is now back in training and is expected to be available selectively against Al Hilal. The French centre-back suffered a hamstring injury during training on December 23 and has been sidelined since, but his return puts him back in head coach Jorge Jesus’ plans at a crucial time.
Local point of sale Al Riyadhiah reported that earlier Simakan would undergo an “intensive rehabilitation program” and was expected to miss up to four weeksincluding the Al Hilal clash. However, in a race against time, the defender has made faster than expected progress and returned to full team training ahead of schedule.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Mohamed Simakan and Sadio Mane of Al Nassr
Al Hilal, who now top the SPL standings with 35 points, recently overtook Al Nassr in the title race. Under new head coach Simone Inzaghi, appointed in June, Hilal boasts the league’s second most powerful attack with 35 goals in 13 games (just behind Al Nassr’s 38). Simakan’s defensive return is particularly important as Ronaldo looks to halt his team’s deficit.
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The stark contrast of Al Nassr with Simakan on the field
Since joining from RB Leipzig in 2024, Simakan has established himself as one of Al Nassr’s most reliable artists. He has made 54 appearances for the club, contributing three goals and three assists, and has formed a central defensive partnership with the former Barcelona defender this season. Inigo Martinez.
In the 2025/26 Saudi Pro League, Simakan played eight matches from matchday 1 to matchday 9, missing only one match against Al Fayha due to rest. During that process, Al Nassr won every match and only conceded four goalshighlighting their defensive solidity with the Frenchman in the lineup.
On the other hand During the four league matches that Simakan missed while recovering from injury, Al Nassr registered one win, one draw and two losses, conceding seven goals. More than half of the 12 goals they have allowed all season came during that short spell, underscoring the dramatic defensive decline without Simakan and the importance of his return ahead of the clash with Al Hilal.
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