Al Nassr are facing their second preseason match of the summer on Friday, July 14 up against Portuguese top-flight side Farense in Faro.
Luis Castro's Al Nassr squad have been training in the Algarve since the start of July, as part of their preparations for the 2023/24 Saudi Pro League season, which starts on August 11.
Al Nassr have two more scheduled warmup games in Portugal, before facing PSG and Inter Milan in Japan, after securing a 2-0 win over Alverca in their summer opener.
Cristiano Ronaldo's army of fans are watching Al Nassr's tour closely this month as he returns from the summer break. Videos that made the rounds on social media in the lead-up made it look like he would be in the matchday squad ...
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Cristiano Ronaldo part avec l'équipe pour le match de ce soir (normalement il joue pas mais je vous tiens au courant)pic.twitter.com/sgUl9Mb7r0
— Gio CR7 (@ArobaseGiovanny) July 14, 2023
🚨 الأسطورة كريستيانو رونالدو يصل لملعب اللقاء 💛pic.twitter.com/slPFc2tyS9
— نواف التميمي 📊. (@Nawaf_STATS) July 14, 2023
... but it turns out that Ronaldo and new acquisition Marcelo Brozovic were in the stands cheering on their team.
Ronaldo & Brozović support their teammates 🤩👏 pic.twitter.com/j5F4y8aWvD
— AlNassr FC (@AlNassrFC_EN) July 14, 2023
Is Cristiano Ronaldo playing for Al Nassr vs Farense?
Ronaldo did not feature in the victory over Alverca as he continued on a personalised preseason fitness programme in Portugal. He wasn't even available on the bench for Al Nassr's first preseason match.
The veteran forward rejoined his teammates earlier this week, as part of their training camp, but he did not feature against Farense.
He’s back 🐐 pic.twitter.com/uFujQ1oIVs
— AlNassr FC (@AlNassrFC_EN) July 12, 2023
Castro will be looking to ease Ronaldo back into action in the coming weeks, with the Japan friendlies the commercial priority for Al Nassr, even ahead of the current Portugal-based games.
Cristiano Ronaldo preseason latest news
Ronaldo was permitted to train at his home in Portugal, from the start of July, as part of an agreed programme with the club's medical team.
Al Nassr are looking to manage his workload ahead of the new season. Ronaldo could possibly be brought in from the start against Rafa Benitez's Celta on July 17.
Ronaldo is entering his first full season with the club after joining in January 2023 and scoring 14 goals in 19 appearances through the end of the 2022/23 season on May 31, 2023.
What time did Al Nassr vs Farense start?
This preseason clash took place at the Estadio Algarve in Faro, Portugal and kicked off on Friday, July 14 at 8:30 p.m. local time.
Here's how that time translates across some of the major territories:
| Date | Kickoff time | |
| USA | Fri, July 14 | 3:30 p.m. EDT |
| Canada | Fri, July 14 | 3:30 p.m. EDT |
| UK | Fri, July 14 | 8:30 p.m. GMT |
| Australia | Sat, July 15 | 5:30 a.m. AEST |
| India | Sat, July 15 | 1 a.m. IST |
| Hong Kong | Sat, July 15 | 3:30 a.m. HKT |
| Malaysia | Sat, July 15 | 3:30 a.m. MYT |
| Singapore | Sat, July 15 | 3:30 a.m. SGT |
| New Zealand | Sat, July 15 | 7:30 a.m. NZST |
