[SPOTV News=Reporter Shin In-seop] Cristiano Ronaldo started despite severe discomfort — later vomiting — and still played a key role in Al Nassr's win.
Al Nassr beat Al Ittifaq 1-0 on April 16 at Al Awwal Park in Riyadh in the 29th round of the 2025–26 Saudi Pro League. The victory moved Al Nassr to a 25–1–3 record (76 points), extending their lead over second-place Al Hilal (68).
Ronaldo led the line in a 4-4-2 alongside João Félix. He registered seven shots (two on target) but did not score, was flagged offside three times, completed two successful dribbles and had five touches inside the box. FotMob gave him a 7.9 rating.
Al Nassr broke the deadlock midway through the first half. In the 31st minute, Kingsley Coman slotted home the rebound after Ronaldo’s effort was parried by the keeper. The side defended the 1-0 lead to record a 15th straight win. With seven league matches remaining, they moved closer to their first title since the 2018–19 season.
Ronaldo, however, was far from full fitness. Spanish outlet Marca reported he played through severe abdominal pain, appeared distressed late in the match and was substituted. He later vomited in the locker room.
After the match, Al Nassr coach Jorge Jesus said, \"I considered not starting Ronaldo. He wasn't feeling well — he had stomach pain and seemed very tired. After he was substituted, he went to the dressing room and vomited.\"
The episode underlined Ronaldo's determination to win. Since joining Al Nassr in 2023, he has yet to lift a trophy with the club; this season is widely viewed as his best chance. The team will look to rack up points across the remaining seven matches to clinch the title early.
Ronaldo is also chasing 1,000 career goals — he currently stands at 968, 32 shy of the milestone — and is preparing for Al Wasl in the AFC Champions League 2 (ACL2) on the 19th.
