Will Cristiano Ronaldo play in India?

Ronaldo is expected to feature in the home game against FC Goa in Riyadh.

Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo

time

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.

 

Next story