That could soon change.
This Saturday, Al-Nassr faces Japan's Yokohama F. Marinos in the quarterfinals, aiming to take a decisive step toward continental success. The match will be played in Jeddah, where all playoff fixtures are being hosted along the Red Sea coast, giving Al-Nassr the logistical advantage of avoiding long travel.
With Ronaldo rested during the club’s recent domestic league victory over Damac, coach Stefano Pioli has ensured that his marquee forward is fresh for the pivotal clash. “We’re now fully focused on Asia,” Pioli stated earlier this week. “We have been working hard to prepare for it and I’m satisfied with the performance of the players.”
Even in Ronaldo’s absence, Al-Nassr boasts one of the strongest squads in Asia. The lineup features big-name talent such as Colombian striker Jhon Duran—acquired from Aston Villa in January for over $100 million—former Liverpool winger Sadio Mané, and Spanish international defender Aymeric Laporte.
Their opponents, Yokohama F. Marinos, are reeling from poor domestic form, sitting at the bottom of Japan’s J-League after collecting just two points from their last seven matches. The club recently parted ways with head coach Steve Holland, a former England assistant, just four months into his tenure. Australian manager Patrick Kisnorbo has stepped in on an interim basis as the team seeks stability.
Meanwhile, Al-Nassr’s archrival Al-Hilal continues its own continental campaign and will face South Korea’s Gwangju FC on Friday. With four ACL titles already under its belt, Hilal enters the match as the tournament’s top performer in the group stage. Although their chances of reclaiming the domestic title appear slim, the club has redirected its focus toward a record-extending fifth Asian crown.
“The Asian Champions League is a personal dream for me,” said Hilal head coach Jorge Jesus. “It is also a dream for the fans and the club president, and we will continue to play to win every match.”
Also in the mix is Al-Ahli, another Saudi powerhouse and two-time finalist. Playing on home turf in Jeddah, Al-Ahli is eyeing its first continental title as it prepares to face Thailand’s Buriram United in the quarterfinals.
The only non-Saudi fixture of the last eight will see Qatar’s Al-Sadd take on Japan’s Kawasaki Frontale on Sunday. Al-Sadd, a two-time champion, will look to draw on experience, while Kawasaki chases its maiden Asian triumph.
As the race intensifies, all eyes will be on Ronaldo and Al-Nassr. For a player who has won virtually every major honor in Europe, the Asian Champions League offers a new frontier—and potentially a defining chapter in his legacy.