Cristiano Ronaldo and Sadio Mane near return as Al Nassr coach gives positive injury update

The return of Cristiano Ronaldo to the pitch is nearly a reality. Al Nassr head coach Jorge Jesus provided a very positive update on the Portuguese icon and teammate Sadio Mane, who had been sidelined with an ankle joint injury.

“We have a training session today, and Cristiano Ronaldo and Sadio Mane are expected to return,” Jorge Jesus stated during the pre-match press conference ahead of Al Nassr’s clash against Al Najma on Friday, April 3.

Ronaldo is set to return after missing his team’s last two Saudi Pro League victories due to a hamstring injury. Mane, meanwhile, only missed the most recent fixture. With their injuries reportedly behind them, Jesus expects both to rejoin group training without further complications.

Al Nassr need Ronaldo and Mane healthy

The returns of Ronaldo and Mane are vital for Al Nassr as the Saudi Pro League enters its final stretch. With only eight matches remaining, Jorge Jesus’ side currently leads the standings with 67 points, holding a narrow three-point advantage over its direct rivals, Al Hilal.

The Portuguese star’s presence is crucial for the Al Nassr attack; he is the team’s top scorer with 21 goals so far this season, having netted eight goals in his last 10 appearances. Having a healthy Mane also provides a massive boost to the Saudi club’s offense.

The Senegalese forward has scored four goals in his last seven appearances, forming a highly dangerous combination alongside Ronaldo and Joao Felix in the frontline.

Ronaldo chasing third consecutive Golden Boot

After securing the Saudi Pro League Golden Boot in both the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons, Ronaldo remains firmly in the hunt to claim the award for a third straight year.

Despite missing his team’s last two matches due to injury, Ronaldo currently sits third in the scoring charts with 21 goals. He trails Julian Quiñones of Al Qadsiah, who has 24 goals, while Ivan Toney of Al Ahli currently leads the race with 25 strikes.

Gianni Taina is a bilingual journalist, fluent in English and Spanish, with a specialization in soccer, NBA, and tennis. He began his professional career in 2020 with Mundo Deportivo US, where he first established himself as a writer. Throughout his career, Gianni has covered major sports events such as the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, the NBA Finals, and Grand Slam tournaments like the French Open. His ability to report on real-time events and perform well under pressure has made him a valuable member of a top-tier team of journalists. In 2024, he joined Bolavip US, bringing his expertise in soccer, NBA, and tennis to deliver original content while providing live coverage of important events.