Al Nassr, the Saudi Pro League powerhouse, concludes its preseason tour in Portugal with a friendly match against Liga Portugal side Rio Ave in the Algarve on Thursday. The team is currently navigating a challenging summer backdrop for star player Cristiano Ronaldo, who at one point weighed the options of a short-term loan to participate in the Club World Cup but ultimately opted against it.
The preseason began on a high note for Al Nassr with a victory over French team Toulouse in Austria. However, they faced a setback, suffering a surprising defeat to lower-division Estrela da Amadora in a closed-door match despite the debut of new signing Joao Felix.
As the start of the competitive 2025/26 season approaches on August 19, Al Nassr will be eager to establish rhythm and synergy ahead of a demanding campaign.
Joao Felix, who transferred from Chelsea in a €30 million deal, is a significant addition to the squad. The 25-year-old forward joins an attacking lineup that features the likes of Sadio Mane and the rising talents of Angelo Gabriel and Abdulrahman Ghareeb. The team has seen departures, including that of Jhon Duran and Anderson Talisca, paving the way for Felix’s integration into the squad.
Al Nassr’s defense will also undergo adjustments following the transfer of reliable centre-back Ali Lajami to rivals Al Hilal. Nonetheless, with options like Aymeric Laporte and Abdulelah Al Amri in their ranks, the team is well-equipped to face the new season.
The predicted lineup for Al Nassr showcases a 4-2-3-1 formation with Bento in goal, supported defensively by Al Ghanam, Laporte, Al Amri, and Al Boushal, while Brozovic and Al Hassan anchor the midfield. In attack, Ronaldo, Felix, and Mane are expected to lead the charge, with Ghareeb adding to their offensive creativity.
On the other hand, Rio Ave has mostly retained its core team from last season, with only minor adjustments. They lost backup defender Miguel Nobrega but secured loanee Clayton permanently for €3 million and brought in Jonathan Panzo from Nottingham Forest. The retirement of captain Vitor Gomes prompted the acquisition of Theofanis Bakoulas from Olympiacos to bolster their midfield.
Rio Ave’s predicted formation is a 4-1-4-1 setup, featuring Miszta in goal and young talents like Costa Rican international Brandon Aguilera, who played a regular role last season.
Overall, both teams will be looking to fine-tune their strategy and performance as they head into the competitive season, making this friendly encounter an important part of their preparations.