Will Cristiano Ronaldo play in India?

Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr have been placed in Group D of the AFC Champions League Two alongside India’s FC Goa, Iraq’s Al Zawraa, and Tajikistan’s FC Istiklol. The draw, announced on Friday, sets up the possibility of Ronaldo playing his first-ever professional match against an Indian club.

There is, however, only a slim chance of him traveling to India for the away fixture, as his contract reportedly includes a clause limiting his participation in certain away matches during the tournament. 

Regardless, Ronaldo is expected to feature in the home game against FC Goa in Riyadh. Under the competition’s home-and-away format, the two teams will meet twice in the group stage. For FC Goa, the clash with Al Nassr will be among the most high-profile matches in the club’s history since its founding in 2014.

Meanwhile, another Indian side, Mohun Bagan Super Giant, has been drawn in Group C alongside Sepahan SC of Iran, Al Hussein of Jordan, and Ahal FC of Turkmenistan.

FC Goa secured their place in the tournament by defeating Oman’s Al Seeb 2-1, with goals from Dejan Drazic and Javier Siverio, despite a late push from the opposition. Mohun Bagan SG had already qualified by winning the 2024/25 ISL Shield.