Cristiano Ronaldo watched on as Ange Postecoglou made it two wins from two starts at Al Nassr with a thumping King’s Cup win.
The Saudi powerhouse overcame a goal within two minutes from Pro League rivals Al-Diriyah to romp to a 4-1 victory that sees them progress to the Round of 32.
Portuguese star Joao Felix again relished the chance to take the spotlight, stepping out of his champion national teammate’s shadow with a brace and setting up Mohamed Simakan for the equaliser early in the match.
Felix also scored in Postecoglou’s first match at the helm against Al-Fateh in their Pro League season opener on the weekend.
Postecoglou will undoubtedly be relieved at his team’s strong start, having been ousted from his most recent managerial stint at EPL side Nottingham Forrest after just 40 turbulent days in 2025.
Impressively, the two wins have come without Ronaldo, the team’s highest-profile star and one of the greatest footballers of all time, playing a single minute.
Postecoglou is yet to comment publicly on the legendary striker’s absence, but he has reportedly been reluctant to risk him early in the season, with the 41-year old only returning to Al Nassr training in the days before their season opener after marrying long-term partner Georgina Rodriguez.
It has been reported that the five-time Ballon d’Or winner could return to the team when Al Nassr face Al-Riyadh in their Round 2 Pro League clash on August 21.
Vision captured from the stands by fan account The Nassr Tribune showed Ronaldo watching his team’s King’s Cup win intently alongside son Cristiano Jr.
He and Postecoglou previously combined to fire up the team ahead of their season opener, with vision of the Australian’s pre-match address going viral.
“First step, new journey,” Postecoglou told the team.
“First step, make it stronger. Chest out, personality.
“Show everyone what we are about.”