Cristiano Ronaldo is set to feature in what is being described as the biggest club match in Indian football history, when Al Nassr face FC Goa in the AFC Champions League group stage this october.
The Saudi Pro League giants, boasting stars such as Ronaldo, Sadio Mané, João Félix and Iñigo Martínez, will meet the Indian Super League side on 22 october at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. It marks the first time an Indian club will host opposition of Al Nassr’s stature in a competitive continental fixture.
FC Goa chief executive Ravi Puskur called the occasion a milestone moment for the sport in the country. “This is truly a once-in-a-lifetime moment for FC Goa. Hosting Al Nassr and Cristiano Ronaldo is arguably the biggest match in the history of Indian club football,” he told the Associated Press.
Ronaldo, who joined Al Nassr in 2022 after leaving Manchester United, has been at the forefront of Saudi football’s transformation, with the club’s financial muscle attracting a string of global stars. His visit to India is expected to shine a similar spotlight on Indian football.
“For Indian football, this is historic,” said Puskur. “We are here on merit, and a match like this gives us the chance to prove ourselves on a continental stage. More importantly, it’s an opportunity to put Indian football into the global conversation and generate greater passion among supporters.”