Cristiano Ronaldo’s quest to reach 1,000 goals will get underway on Saturday when Al-Nassr take on Al-Fateh in their Saudi Pro League opener.

The defending champions go into the season under a new head coach with Ange Postecoglou at the helm but all focus will be on Ronaldo’s bid to move past four figures in goals scored in what has been a remarkable career.

The 41-year-old currently has 976 to his name and if he maintains his strike-rate since moving to Saudi in December 2022 (in three full seasons, he has scored 35, 25 and 28), he will break the landmark at some point during the 2026/27 campaign.

Ronaldo has missed the bulk of Al-Nassr’s pre-season programme after enjoying a post-World Cup break, during which he got married to long-time partner Georgina Rodriguez, but will be back for Saturday’s opener.

His return will be welcomed with his side struggling in pre-season. Postecoglou’s side have lost three of four warm-up matches but the Australian is too experienced to show any signs of panic.

“When we spoke about the challenges, we were aware that there were different circumstances and challenges, but whatever the circumstances, we have to deal with them and prepare well,” he said.

“Of course, I do not promise anything, and I have always achieved something in my first season. The matter is simply that wherever I go, I love to achieve success.”

Al-Fateh finished 11th last season but limped to the finish line, winning just three of their last 20 league games. Strikers Lukas Haraslin and Wilfried Kanga have bolstered their attacking options.

Team News for Al-Nassr v Al-Fateh

Ronaldo is likely to start with Postecoglou confirming his superstar striker is fit. The former Tottenham boss has to decide between Nawaf Al-Aqidi and Bento in goal.

New Al-Fateh boss Khaled Al Atwi has a full squad to choose from.

Expected line-ups for Al-Nassr v Al-Fateh

Al-Nassr: Bento; Al-Nasser, Simakan, Martinez, Al-Najdi; Al-Najei, Abdulkareem, Mane, Felix, Coman; Ronaldo

Al-Fateh: Al-Bukhari; Al-Jari, Philip, Saadan, Qashish; Al-Zubaidi, Al-Masoud, Delgado, Ramos; Haraslin, Kanga

Where to watch Al-Nassr v Al-Fateh

Kick-off on Saturday is at 19:00 BST (14:00 ET / 11:00 PT). In the UK, the Saudi top-flight broadcast channel is the Saudi Pro League YouTube channel.

In the US, FOX Sports are the Saudi Pro League live broadcasters. For different territories, visit the Saudi Pro League broadcaster page.

Al Nassr vs Al Fateh stats

• Al-Nassr won 5-1 the last time the sides met in Riyadh, with Joao Felix scoring a hat-trick and Ronaldo adding a spectacular strike after missing a penalty
• Ronaldo scored again when Al-Nassr won 2-0 at Al-Fateh in the most recent meeting between the teams on February 14, when Armen Yahya also netted
• The reigning champions recorded the most home wins (15), points (46) and goals (46) in last season’s Saudi Pro League
• Since May 7 2025, Al-Nassr’s only home league defeat has been a 2-1 loss to Al-Qadsiah on January 8 this year
• Al-Qadsiah’s Julian Quinones (33 goals in 31 games) and Al-Ahli’s Ivan Toney (32 in 32 matches) are the only players to have outscored Ronaldo (28 in 30 appearances) in the 2025/26 division
• Al-Fateh beat Al-Nassr 3-2 at home in the final game of both teams’ Saudi Pro League season in May 2025, recovering from falling behind to Ronaldo and Sadio Mane goals
• Martin Vargas scored their first equaliser on that occasion before Mourad Batna levelled again in the 81st minute and Matheus Machado scored the 96th-minute winner
• Only Al-Shabab and Damac (11 each) drew more games in last season’s top flight than Al-Fateh (10), who finished 11th
• Following a 13-match winless run between January and April, Al-Fateh finished last season with one defeat in six matches (W2 D3)
• Only bottom two sides Al-Okhdood and Al-Najma won fewer away games in the 2025/26 Saudi Pro League than Al-Fateh (2)